TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: Each membrane electrode assembly and each plate further comprises coolant manifold opening. Each membrane electrode assembly is in contact with a fuel flow field and oxidant flow field. Each manifold opening has a cross section which is the same as the area defined by the channel surrounding the manifold opening and the periphery of the plate. Sealant channel(s) is interposed between each membrane electrode assembly an each plate or between adjacent plates. Each flow field comprises interconnected grooves extending through a portion of the plate through which material can flow. Each membrane electrode comprises ion conductive layer interposed between two gas diffusion layers which comprise a catalyst. Each membrane electrode assembly comprises a composite membrane electrode assembly having an ion conductive layer interposed between gas diffusion layers and gasket surrounding the periphery of the laminate. The sealant or resin may be introduced into the cassette through sealant holes or sealant channel opening at the periphery of the plates. It may also be introduced by pressure assisted resin transfer or by vacuum assisted resin transfer under a positive pressure of 0-50 psi or partial pressure of 750 torr - 1 mTorr.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The resin and end plates comprise thermoset or thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material consists of thermoplastic olefin elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane, plastomer, polypropylene, polyethylene, PTFE, fluorinated polypropylene or polystyrene. The thermoset material consists of epoxy resins, urethanes, silicones, fluorosilicones, or vinyl esters. The end plate(s) comprises filled polymer composite consisting of glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic or graphite reinforced thermoplastic.Preferred Parameters: The resin has a viscosity of 10000-150000 (preferably 10000-55000) cP.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Gelation is carried out for 48-120 hours.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polymer electrolyte composition comprises gelling agent (1.8-3 wt.% based on total weight of composition), organic solvent and lithium salt.Preferred Components: The gelling agent comprises nitrogen-containing polymer and epoxy group-containing compound in a weight ratio of 2:1 - 5:1. The nitrogen-containing polymer is used at 1.5-2 wt.% based on the total weight of electrolyte composition. The nitrogen-containing polymer is polyvinylpyridine, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, polyvinylpyridine acrylate, polypyrrole, polyaniline, or preferably polyvinylpyridine-co-styrene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The epoxy group-containing compound is 3,4-epoxcyclohexylmethyl-3',4'-epoxycyclohexane carboxylate, glycidyl dodecafluoroheptylether, polypropyleneglycol diglycidylether, butadiene diepoxide, cyclohexene oxide, cyclopentene oxide, diepoxy cyclooctane, ethyleneglycol diglycidylether, 1,2-epoxy-hexane or preferably butanediol diglycidylether. The organic solvent is propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, dimethoxyethane, diethoxyethane, vinylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, ethylene sulfite or propylene sulfite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The lithium salt is lithium hexafluorophosphate, lithium hexafluoroarsenate, lithium perchlorate, LiN(CF3SO2)2, lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate, or lithium hexafluoroantimonate.Preferred Composition: The concentration of lithium salt in organic solvent is 0.5-2 M.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The first device and the second device are adapted to fold to at least an open and a collapsed position. The collapsed position comprises an inwardly folded position or an outwardly folded position. An edge stiffener is at an edge of at least one device. It is adapted to situate pair(s) of devices. A hinge connects the first device and the second device. It consists of a conventional hinge, a conventional hinge with integrated torsion spring, a polyimide fold, or a carpenter hinge. The hinge is adapted to situate pair(s) of the devices in an open position. It is adapted to provide deployment force to the array. The device may be flexible or rigid. The arrangement comprises a grid-like array of devices. A third brace is hingedly attached to a brace and to a device. It comprises foldable portion(s). An electrostatic discharge layer covers at least a portion of the array of devices and braces.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The hinge comprises a conventional hinge, a conventional hinge with integrated torsion spring, a polyimide fold, or a carpenter hinge.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The anodes are blued by known oxidation means.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: An oil layer (16) comprising a mixture of mineral oil and lighter lamp-grade oil, floats atop the electrolyte. It preferably comprises general duty petroleum oil.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sacks comprise finely woven nylon. The special sheet of studded insulating material is rubber.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The conductor is a threaded stud of low carbon steel, a threaded stud of stainless steel, or a flat steel connective strip, installed while the zinc is molten.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Photoinitiator: The photoinitiator is benzophenone dissolved in acetone or methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Monomer: The acrylic monomer is acrylic acid.Preferred Component: The polyolefin sheets are polyethylene sheets.Preferred Method: The ultraviolet irradiation is performed in an atmosphere of air or an inert gas atmosphere. A sheet of the polyolefin after ultraviolet irradiation is introduced above and below a web of the polyolefin article and the adjacent edges of the polyolefin sheets are sealed to one another to form a tube, which surrounds the web. This web is then advanced to a region where the web is subjected to ultraviolet irradiation. EXAMPLE - A non-woven fabric was immersed in a solution of 15 g benzophenone in 285 g acetone. The acetone was then evaporated at 25 degrees C. The polypropylene fabric was immersed in 35% acrylic acid and placed inside a polyethylene bag. Nitrogen was introduced into the bag to purge the present air and to establish atmosphere inside the bag. The bag was closed and moved under ultraviolet lamp at 8-10 ft/min. The sample was removed from the bag and grafting had occurred during the procedure. The sample had gained an average of 17.5 wt.% and an average ion exchange capacity of 0.689/meq.g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ultraviolet Absorber: The UV absorber is a benzophenone, benzotriazole, salicylate, acrylonitrile, metallic complex or ultrafine titanium dioxide or zinc oxide system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polymeric material which comprises polymer electrolyte layer and binder is a vinylidene-fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte liquid is the carbonate ester type compound which melts the lithium salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Adhesive agent is made from organic resin material such as butyral resin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, oxylene glycol, glycerol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sparse Liquid Material: The sparse liquid material is selected from the group consisting of copolymer of polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly vinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, polyimide, tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and copolymer of styrene and butadiene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The hydrophilic resin is chosen from carboxy methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic acid copolymer resin and cellulose resin.Preferred Process: A portion of the hydrophilic resin is added to the active material. EXAMPLE - Nickel hydroxide active material (100 kg) having high order cobalt oxide near the surface was prepared by immersing nickel hydroxide powder with particle size of 10 mum in cobalt sulfate aqueous solution for 30 minutes. Ion exchange water, aqueous solution of octyl phenol ethoxylate, hydrophilic resin and nickel hydroxide active material were blended to obtain anode active material mixture. Polytetra fluoroethylene (1 kg) and aqueous solution of sodium polyacrylate diluted in ion exchange water were further added to the obtained mixture, and an anode active material paste was produced. The obtained paste had favorable viscosity and excellent coating stability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The temperature increase rate at 400-600 degrees C is made lower than the temperature increase rate in another temperature range. The maximum temperature at the time of carbonization baking is set to 900 degrees C or more. EXAMPLE - A phenol resin material of thickness 2.4 mm was obtained. The mass of the flat plate before carbonization baking was 45 g. Carbonization baking was performed at a temperature range in which calcination temperature exceeded 300 degrees C. Baking was performed at preset ratio of maximum value of mass decreasing velocity with respect to mass decreasing velocity in ideal case. It was found that there was no generation of cracks in the obtained baked product.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The surface covering layer is formed on both sides of the negative electrode terminal lead. It is formed on areas of positive electrode terminal lead or the negative electrode terminal lead at which the thermally welded portions are held in contact. The multiple flat type batteries are electrically connected in series and/or in parallel. A pair of outer sheaths is prepared and the thermally welded portions are formed around entire circumferences of the pair of the outer sheaths. The outer sheath is folded in a bladder shape to form an opening portion at which the thermally welded portions are formed. The multiple batteries are electrically connected in series and/or in parallel to form a compound battery.Preferred Parameters: The value of thickness of the surface covering layer divided by the thickness of the terminal mother material is 0.01-0.5. The sum of the thickness of the surface covering layer and a thickness of the terminal mother material is 50-500 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The terminal mother material is made of copper, iron or their alloy. The surface covering layer is made of nickel or its alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The lid of the economizer consists of polystyrene material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The additive is represented by formula (I).n = 1-9;X- = Cl-, Br-, ClO4-, BF4-, AsF6-, CF3SO3-, CF3CF2CF2SO3-, or N(SO2CF3)2-;R1 = aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons;andR2, R3 = hydrocarbons, H, or N-containing heterocyclic substituents.The additive has R1 = methyl (CH3), R2 = R3 = hydrogen (H); R1 = CH3, R2 = 2-CH3, R3 = H; R1 = CH3, R2 = 4-CH3, R3 = H; R1 = CH3, R2 = 5-(CH2=CH-), R3 = 2-CH3; R1 = CH3, R2 = 4(CH2=CH-), R3 = H; R1 = CH3, R2 = 4-C5H4N, R3 = H; R1 = C6H5, R2 = R3 = H; R1 = C6H5, R2 = 2-CH3, R3 = H; R1 = C6H5, R2 = 4-CH3, R3 = H; R1 = C6H5, R2 = 5-(CH2=CH-), R3 = 2-CH3; R1 = C6H5, R2 = 4-(CH2=CH), R3 = H; or R1 = C6H5, R2 = 4-C5H4N, R3 = H.The solvent comprises acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether, gamma-butyrolactone, 1,3-dioxolane, dimethoxyethane, or sulfolane.The salt comprises LiPF6, LiClO4, LiBF4, LiASF6, LiCF3SO3, LiN(SO2CF3)2    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The electrolyte further comprises a polymeric material comprising halogen-containing polymer consisting of polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, or polyvinylidene fluoride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The alkali metal containing anode includes an alloying metal consisting of lithium-aluminum, lithium-aluminum-silicon, lithium-aluminum-cadmium, lithium-aluminum-bismuth, or lithium-aluminum-tin. The anode includes alkali metal ion containing anode including graphite. The cathode comprises metal oxide (lithium-transition metal oxide). The metal oxide is consisting of manganese oxide, lithium manganate, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, or vanadium pentaoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The semiconducting polymer is consisting of poly(p-phenylene-vinylene) derivatives, polyfluorene derivatives, or polythiophene derivatives. The polyphenylene-vinylene derivative is consisting of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene); poly(2-butoxy,5-2'-ethyl-hexyloxy-p-phenylene vinylene) or poly(2,5-bis-cheolestranoxy-1,4-phenylene vinylene), preferably poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene). The polyfluorene derivative is consisting of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene); poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole); or poly(9,9'-dioctyolfluorene-co-bis-N,N'-(4-butylphenyl)-bis-N,N'-phenyl -1,4-phenylenediamine). The polythiophene derivative is consisting of poly(3-alkylthiophene); poly(3-(4-octyl-phenyl)-2,2-bithiophene; or poly(3-(4'-(1,4,7-trioxaoctyl)thiophene). The n-type electron is consisting of C60, cyano-poly(p-phenylene-vinylene), or carbon nanotubes, preferably C60. The p-type polymer is consisting of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The ionic electrolyte is consisting of lithium trifluoromethyl sulfate, lithium hexafluoro phosphide, lithium hexafluoro arsenide, lithium hexafluoro lead, lithium perchlorate, lithium triflate, or lithium trifluoromethyl sulfonimide, preferably lithium trifluoromethyl sulfate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The second polymer electrolyte is the polymer forming the first electrolyte or derivatives of it. The polymer is sulfonated poly(4-phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene) or alkylsulfonated polybenzoimidazole. The second polymer electrolyte contains perfluorocarbon having sulfon groups or perfluorocarbon containing carboxyl groups.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The ion conductive film is an ion conductive film containing plasticizer, and a substance showing reversible electrochemical oxidation reduction characteristics in a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix is a copolymer of fluorinated vinylidene and hexafluoropropylene and acrylic acid. The plasticizer is a salt melting a room temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Condition: The reaction time in mixing completely dissolved polyvinyl alcohol solution and alkaline metal hydroxide solution together is 20-30 minutes. The temperature/humidity chamber in spreading the cooled polymer is at 50 degrees C in temperature and 20-30 RH%.Preferred Property: The polyvinyl alcohol has an average molecular weight of 2000-50000. The glass fiber cloth has a thickness of 10-600 microns.Preferred Composition: The water content of solid polymer electrolyte is between 20-50 wt.%, and its optimum chemical composition is between 30-40%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The alkaline metal hydroxide may be potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and/or lithium hydroxide. EXAMPLE - Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (8g) and water (40g) were weighed and was placed in reactor. The mixture was agitated for one hour under ambient temperature until PVA is completely dissolved. A potassium hydroxide (12.5g) was dissolved in water (100g) and poured into reactor. The reactor temperature was raised to 60-70 degrees C and polymerization time was controlled under 30 minutes. The weight of reactor with resulting polymer inside was measured and recorded. A viscous polymer of specific weight was spread on glass fiber and placed in temperature/humidity chamber for one hour. It was taken out and left in atmosphere for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The polymer film was removed and weighed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The housing further comprises retaining walls being configured to surround the openings. The retaining walls define receiving areas adjacent to the openings. The receiving areas are configured to receive the annular member and the head portion of the plug. The threaded portion is to be received and engaged in the opening of the housing of the electrical storage medium. The elongated opening is orthogonally positioned with respect to the pair of openings. The pair of openings is positioned 180 degrees from each other. The head portion extends outwardly from the annular member. The housing has been ventilated by a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in partial fluid communication with ambient air.Preferred Property: The diameter of the head portion is slightly smaller than the receiving area.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The plug is molded out of polystyrene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Assembly: The assembly further comprises an electronically conducting cathode flow field and an electronically conducting anode flow field bonded to opposing sides of the assembly. It is bonded using an adhesive or solder. It further comprises a cathode cell frame disposed around a perimeter of the cathode flow field and an anode cell frame disposed around a perimeter of the anode flow field.Preferred Property: The fluid cooled bipolar plate is capable of supporting current densities of 0.8 Amps/cm2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The two fluid impermeable plates, the flow field and the frame are made from stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, nickel, nickel-plated aluminum, nickel-plated magnesium, copper-plated aluminum, copper-plated magnesium and/or gold-plated titanium. The solder is made from tin, silver, zinc, bismuth, lead, indium or their alloys.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The frame is made from polycarbonate, polyether sulfone, polyether imide and/or polyimide. The fluid permeable flow field, the cathode flow field and the anode flow field are porous electrically conducting sheets made from conducting polymer foam. The assembly has a polymer-to-metal interface, polymer-to-polymer interface or metal-to-metal interface.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electronically conducting plates and flow field are metals. The fluid permeable flow field, the cathode flow field and the anode flow field are porous electrically conducting sheets made from expanded metal mesh, woven metal mesh, metal foam, perforated metal sheet and/or a porous conductive carbon material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The thermoplastic resin molding consists of carbon nanotube and thermoplastic resin comprising any one of fluororesin, fluororubber, polyolefin or polyolefin elastomers. The volume resistivity of molding is 0.5 ohm-cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The base material layer contains 60-80 weight% of inorganic oxide particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Thermoplastic or thermosetting resin material is used in the base material layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The cathode comprises a carbonaceous material, such as graphite having a d value of 0.335-0.34 nm, with respect to 002 face of lattice surface, calculated by Gakushin X-ray diffraction method. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The organic solvent is ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone or gamma-valerolactone. The compound having electron-withdrawing group conjugated with carbon-carbon unsaturated bond is (meth)acrylonitrile, N,N-dimethyl acrylamide, methyl methacrylate, 2-cyano ethyl acrylate or alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone.    EXAMPLE - Polyvinylidene fluoride (in weight parts) (5) and TIMREX KS6 (artificial graphite) (95), were dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone to obtain a slurry. The slurry was uniformly applied on a stainless steel mesh (cathode collector). The cathode collector was then dried and pressed to obtain a cathode. An electrolyte liquid was then obtained by dissolving acrylonitrile (1) in propylene carbonate (99), and then dissolving a lithium compound of formula (LiN(CF3SO2)2). An electrochemical cell was then produced using the cathode, lithium metal counter electrode and the electrolyte liquid. The non-aqueous liquid secondary battery has high charging and discharging efficiency, good cycle property and high safety.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The catalyst layer coating material is prepared by mixing solvent, catalyst particles and fluoro resin powder or electroconductive carbon particles having water repellent property. EXAMPLE - A platinum catalyst (consisting of 30% platinum and 24% ruthenium alloy) in weight ratio of 50%, was supported on electroconductive carbon black Ketchen black EC (RTM) having specific surface area of 800 m2/g and dibutyl phthalate absorption amount of 360 ml/100 g. The supported platinum catalyst and 9-% FSS solution (RTM; polyelectrolyte dispersion liquid) were mixed in weight ratio of 1:1 with respect to weight of electroconductive carbon particle, to obtain a liquid mixture. The liquid mixture was freeze-dried at -75degreesC and 1 Pa to produce a catalyst powder. Mixed solvent of water and ethylene glycol, and catalyst powder were mixed in weight ratio of 1.2, and the resulting solution was dispersed in a mixer to obtain a catalyst layer coating material. The coating material was printed on both sides of polymeric electrolyte film nafion (RTM), to form catalyst layers. The electrolyte film having catalyst layer, was pinched between gas diffusion layers and pressurized at 150degreesC and 2 MPa, to form a negative electrode. A battery was assembled using the negative electrode. The battery was found to have improved performance. The battery was found to have current density of 500 mA/cm2, and cell voltage of 0.375 V.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The sealing agent is joined to lead of electrodes by heat-fusion or ultrasonic fusion. A primer is applied to the sealing agent junction portion of the lead for positive electrodes and lead for negative electrodes. The lead for positive electrodes and negative electrodes consists of aluminum and copper, respectively. The edge portion of lead is a curved surface along longitudinal direction.Preferred Composition: The sealing agent consists of polyolefin group resin having a polar group.Preferred Condition: The lead component satisfies the relation: b is greater than a/2, where a is thickness of lead and b is thickness of sealing agent. EXAMPLE - Aluminum foil and copper foil were used as positive and negative electrode, respectively. The positive and negative electrodes were arranged parallelly with a central line distance of 5 mm. A film (sealing agent) obtained by molding polypropylene modified by maleic acid anhydride, was arranged to both sides of lead at positive and/or negative electrodes. A primer comprising acid modified polyolefin group resin suspended in organic solvent, was coated and dried to form a coating having a thickness of 20 mum. The mating faces of coverings comprising lead penetration portion were pressurized for 5 seconds at 195degreesC and 0.5 MPa. Subsequently, the electrodes were pressurized and fused for 5 seconds at 160degreesC and 0.5 MPa to manufacture a lead component. The produced lead component was used in the battery. The lead component improved battery properties and prevented dislocation of sealing agent during battery assembly process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Partial removal of the catalyst layer is carried out by reactive ionic etching, laser ablation or sputtering, ion beam, plasma or barrel etching. Ionic current conductivity of the polymer membrane is prevented or eliminated by electrode etching or local thermal treatment. Areas where the catalyst layer has been removed are rendered hydrophobic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Membrane: Before partial removal, the catalyst layer is homogeneous, with a thickness of 5-10 microns. The other side of the polymer membrane may also be coated, preferably with a homogeneous layer of catalyst. The separated catalyst segments (1a, 1b) are each catalyst areas of 2 adjacent fuel cells of a planar fuel cell array; or at least 3 separated segments form a 2-dimensional field of fuel cells of a planar fuel cell array. The catalyst layer is removed completely or incompletely between these segments. The distance between the individual segments is 10 times greater than the thickness of the polymer membrane without catalyst layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The catalyst layer is porous and consists of noble metal particles, graphite and a proton-conducting polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The insulating and protective sleeves are injection molded from polyamide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The capillary tube mat is made from polypropylene random copolymer type 3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Suitable film precursor materials contain binders (especially rubbers, preferably acrylate rubbers) in amounts of ca. 2-30 (preferably 3-5) wt%, plus solvent (ester, ketone and/or alcohol), plasticiser (phthalate ester, preferably dioctyl and/or dibutyl phthalate) and electrically-conductive material (preferably metallic material).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: Film (108) is formed by extrusion, compression moulding, casting, spreading and/or screen printing, and is then combined with the substrate (110) by static pressing or calendering. After drying layer (108), the binder is removed by heating and the layer is sintered, preferably under vacuum at a temperature of at least 800degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Substrates: Knitted, woven or braided metal fabric, or non-woven metal fabric.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The pair of electrical couples is carbon nickel oxide and nickel zinc. The carbon nickel oxide battery comprises carbon impregnated into a nickel foam substrate.Preferred Dimension: The nickel electrode is a compressed pasted nickel oxide electrode with a thickness of 0.007-0.012 inches.Preferred Parameter: The number of cells in the high power battery differs from the number of cells in the high-energy battery.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The carbon electrode of the carbon nickel oxide battery is doped with a doping material from bismuth oxide and/or iron hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Materials: The barium-containing compound is barium hydroxide present as barium sulfate. The organic expander (0.1-10 wt.%) is a sulfonated derivative of lignin or its synthetic analog. The carbon black (0.1-10 wt.%) is water dispersible. The lead oxide containing material further contains lead metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cartridge further comprises a second port through which the cartridge may be refilled. It includes mechanism for interrupting the flow of fuel from the fuel delivery component.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The fuel delivery component is composed of a foam-based material, an expanded polymer, or a felted metal material. The flow interrupting mechanism comprises Kapton (RTM: Polyimide '4' film from pyromellitic anhydride) tape covering the contact point on the hydrophilic foam component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent is tetrahydrofuran, toluene, chloroform, chlorobenzene, xylene, dichloromethane, mesitylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 2-chloronaphthalene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene and/or 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The substrate is flexible or rigid, transparent or opaque, reflective, and planar in shape. The electrode comprises a metallic or non metallic conductor. The light harvesting rods are oriented perpendicular to electrode (A1) and are intrinsic rectifiers of excited state energy and holes, and have a length of 500 nm or less. The electrolyte is aqueous, non-aqueous or polymer electrolyte comprising mobile charge carrier and solid. The solar cell is devoid of liquid in the space between the electrodes. Preferred Definitions:    at least one of X1-Xm+1 = chlorins, bacteriochlorins or isobacteriochlorins and comprises porphyrinic macromolecules, where at least one of X2-Xm+1 comprises trans meso-linked porphyrinic macromolecules and trans-beta-linked porphyrinic macromolecules;    m in formula (I) = 2-49;    Ar, Ar1, Ar2 = benzene, thiophene, furan, pyrrole, pyridine, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthracene, biphenyl, indene, quinoline, pyridazine, pyrimidine, fluorine or pyrazine;    Y2,Y5 = H or alkyl;    Y3,Y4 = H, halo, ethynyl, dialkyl boronate or trialkyl tin; and    Y6 = alkyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: Internal compression is generated by introducing an impurity into the back contact layer. The formation of PV layer takes place in molybdenum (Mo) sputtering, and the impurity modification occurs by introducing oxygen during sputtering, thus creating an oxygen-containing characteristic in Mo-rich layer (34). It further involves vapor-phase creation of other sublayers, including copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS) sublayer (38) or copper-indium-diselenide (CIS) sublayer (40) adjacent with the Mo-rich sublayer; a cadmium-sulfide (CdS) sublayer adjacent the CIGS sublayer; and conductive sublayer overlaying and connected to the CdS sublayer. Further, it involves forming an intrinsic-zinc-oxide layer intermediate to CdS layer and the conductive sublayer. Preferred Device: The processing chamber includes roll-to-roll pay out and take-up structure for handling and promoting roll-to-roll transport motion of the substrate within the chamber.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The substrate, which can be a flexible strip support substrate, is polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Contacts (1, 8) comprise metal, conductive oxide, especially indium tin dioxide (ITO) or ZnO:Al.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The mixed layers comprise a mixture of a phthalocyanine and a (substituted)fullerene or derivative. The phthalocyanine is doped with the organic acceptor tetrafluorotetracyanodimethane (F4-TCNQ).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: Contacts may comprises a conductive polymer, especially polyethylenethioxythiophene (PEDOT) : polystyrenesulfonate (PSS).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substance comprises adsorbent particles and includes: palm-stem activated carbon, a wood activated carbon, petroleum pitch spherical activated carbon, pellet-molded activated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, activated clay, a surfactant, positive or negative ion exchange resin or fiber, chelating resin, chelate compound, an inorganic positive or a negative-ion absorbent, inorganic synthetic-chemical deodorant, a porous adsorbent carrying a compound for chemically decomposing and removing gas components by neutralization, and/or a porous adsorbent carrying an oxidation or reduction catalyst comprising noble or base metals or carrying or coated with an optically excited catalyst such as titanium oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The three-dimensional structure is polyurethane foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte is a gel-like or solid electrolyte containing a solvent in an electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition is a gel-like electrolyte containing an ionic liquid. The electrolyte composition contains a redox pair. The redox pair is a combination of a halogen ion and a halogen compound ion. The halogen element is iodine. EXAMPLE - A TiO2 paste is obtained from titanium isopropoxide and used to form a semiconductor layer on a glass substrate. A semiconductor electrode is obtained by immersing the semiconductor layer in a dry ethanol solution in which cis-bis(isothiocyanato)-N,N-bis(2,2'-di pyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid-ruthenium (II) dehydrate and deoxycholic acid are dissolved, absorbing the dye in the semiconductor layer and drying. An opposite electrode is produced by sputtering platinum on a glass substrate. An electrolyte is obtained by dissolving 0.2g lithium iodide, 1-propyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium iodide (0.479g), iodine (0.0381g) and 4-tert-butyl-pyridine (0.2g) in a 1:1 mixture of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate. Dibutyl tin di laurate is added, and polyoxyethylene glycerine (second compound) and tolylene di-isocyanate (first compound) are added.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The panel includes a top sheet (14), a bottom sheet (16), and dividing wall(s) extending between the top and the bottom sheets, together defining the adjacent channels. The panel ends are end caps (22, 24), which connect the channels in parallel, so that the liquid flows through the panel in one direction only. The end caps are provided with stoppers (30E-H) that direct the flow of the dark liquid through the channels in series, the flow of dark liquid through the channels alternating between the end caps as the flow progresses towards the outlet. The solar panel structure is associated with reservoir containing liquid to be heated. The dark liquid heated by the solar panel structure transfers heat through subsequent heat exchange, with the object being heated. An additional heat-insulating layer is provided below a bottom layer, and an additional solar radiation-capturing layer is provided above a top layer. The panel is a building component that forms part of a roof of a building.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The thermoplastic material is a transparent or translucent polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate material. Preferred Component: The panel is co-extruded with a thermoplastic material(s), each having different characteristics. The top sheet is extruded from a transparent or translucent thermoplastic material. The bottom sheet is extruded from a dark or black thermoplastic material. Preferred Liquid: The dark liquid that flows through the solar panel structure is a dark heat transfer liquid, which is dark oil or solvent, a silicone fluid, or a colored liquid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The basic compound forms a part or the entire structural element of the ionic liquid or dissolves in the ionic liquid. The proton exchanger contains a hydrophobic ionic liquid. The proton conductor forms a gel between the ionic liquid and a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix has an ion exchange capability. The content of the polymer matrix in the gel is 3-20 weight% and the gel has self-retention properties. The hydrogen gas permeability of the proton exchanger is at most 0.0002 S/cm. The proton exchanger has a proton conductivity of at least 0.0002 S/cm at normal temperatures and no humidity and 0.01 S/cm at at least 100degreesC. The structure of the proton exchanger is water insoluble. The structural component of the proton exchanger is a salt of the basic compound and an acid including a fluorine atom and a sulfur atom in the molecule, and the mol ratio of acid to basic compound is 0.9-1.1. EXAMPLE - Benzimidazole (14.2g) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide (8.43g) were mixed and heat melted uniformly. A crystalline salt was formed of melting point 117.5degreesC, and the liquid had excellent heat stability up to 370degreesC. Methyl methacrylate (2g), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (0.004g) as crosslinking agent and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) photoinitiator (0.03g) were added to the ionic compound (10g) and radical polymerization was performed. A proton exchange film was obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The carbon rod has a density of 1.55-1.75 g/cm3.Preferred Component: In the entire endothermic amount of the positive electrode current collector (2) obtained by differential scanning calorimetry at 20-100degreesC, the endothermic amount obtained by differential scanning calorimetry at 20-55degreesC is not more than 25%, the endothermic amount obtained by differential scanning calorimetry at 20-60degreesC is more than 25% and not more than 40%, and preferably, the endothermic amount obtained by differential scanning calorimetry at 20-65degreesC is more than 40% and not more than 70%. The positive electrode current collector satisfies the relational expression 90less thanY+50.5Xless than 100, where X is the density (g/cm3) of the carbon rod, and Y is the entire endothermic amount (J/g) of the positive electrode current collector obtained by differential scanning calorimetry at 20-100degreesC, and Y is greater than zero.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The aromatic compound is included at 0.1-20 wt.%.Preferred Component: The aromatic compound is a compound of formulae (2)-(4). The organic solvent is ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethylcarbonate, diethylcarbonate, ethylmethylcarbonate, tetrahydrofuran, sulforan, and/or 2-methylhydrofuran.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The lithium (Li) salt is hexafluorophosphoric acid Li (LiPF6), perchloric acid Li, hexafluoroarsenate, tetrafluoroboric acid Li, trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid Li, trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid imide Li, LiSCN (sic), or LiC(CF3SO2)3 (sic).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: Additive(s) (0.1-10 wt.%) is provided from polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), and/or polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA). The PEGDA is an oligomer having a weight-average molecular weight of 200-10000, and the ethylene oxides contained in the oligomer is 3-20. The PEGDMA is an oligomer having a weight-average molecular weight of 200-10000 and the number of ethylene oxides contained in the oligomer is 3-20. EXAMPLE - LiPF6 was dissolved in a 1.15 M in a mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate/diethyl carbonate (volume ratio = 3/3/4) to obtain a mixed solution. The obtained mixed solution (100 g) was added with bisphenol A ethoxylate (1-E0/phenol) diacrylate (4 g) of formula (2), 3-chloroanisole (3 g) and benzoylperoxide (0.1 g) to obtain a polymer electrolyte composition. The composition could suppress overcharge and exhibited stable charge/discharge characteristics.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Matrix: The polymer matrix consists of a cross-linked polymer formed from a bifunctional acrylamide compound, and a monofunctional monomer chosen from (meth)acrylic acid ester and/or (meth)acrylamide. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The bifunctional acrylamide compound is N,N'-methylene bis acrylamide, N,N'-methylene bis methacrylic acrylamide or N,N'-ethylene bis acrylamide.    EXAMPLE - An electrolyte liquid was obtained by dissolving tetrafluoro lithium phosphate in a mixed solvent consisting of ethylene carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate. N,N' methylene bis acrylamide (in g) (1) and 2,2-azo bis isobutyronitrile (0.01) were dissolved in the electrolyte liquid (15) and solution (A) was prepared. A positive electrode (4) was prepared by applying lithium cobaltate and graphite on a collector (5) aluminum foil using a binder consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride resin. A negative electrode (6) was prepared by applying graphite on a collector (7) copper foil using a binder consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride resin. The electrodes were impregnated with solution (A). The electrodes and a porous membrane made of polyethylene resin, were placed in a battery can. The bifunctional methacrylate was polymerized and a gel electrolyte was formed. A coin-type rechargeable lithium ion battery was produced. The battery was found to have discharge capacitance of 3.98 mAh, and capacitance retention of 93%. The gel electrolyte after charging and discharging cycle was found to retain solid shape with elasticity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The weight ratio of hydrogen ion conductive polyelectrolyte and carbon powder is 0.8-1.6. The weight ratio of water-repellent material and carbon powder is 0.1-0.5. EXAMPLE - A ketchen black (40 g) (with specific surface area of 800 m2/g) was made to support a platinum particle to obtain a catalyst supporting particle of air electrode. A ketchen black was made to support a platinum particle and ruthenium particle to obtain a catalyst supporting particle of fuel electrode. Subsequently, a solution (222 g) of SE10072 (RTM; hydrogen ion conductive poly electrolyte solution having ion-exchange capacity of 1.0 meq/g) and a catalyst comprising carbon powder at a weight ratio of 1.2 was sprayed on the surface of the catalyst supporting particles and dried. Further, a water-repellent material dispersion liquid (containing tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluorinated propylene copolymer dispersion liquid) was sprayed on the surface of these obtained catalyst supporting particles. Each catalyst supporting particle was mixed with an ethylene glycol in nitrogen atmosphere and a paste-like ink for electrode catalyst layer was prepared. The paste of the catalyst supporting particle of the fuel electrode was applied to one surface of a hydrogenation conductive. Polymeric electrolyte film Nafion 112 (RTM) and the paste of the catalyst supporting particle of the air electrode was applied to the another surface by a screen stenciling method to form a catalyst layer. The formed catalyst layer had catalyst metal quantity of 0.5 mg/cm2 and average thickness of 20 mm. The formed catalyst layer was used to obtain a polyelectrolyte-type fuel cell. The obtained fuel cell had dew point of 75degreesC at the fuel electrode side and dew point of 60degreesC at the air electrode side.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The molecular structure having electron donating properties and the molecular structure having electron accepting properties are present in the main chain of both polymer units.Both polymer units have carrier transport properties. The domain size of the micro-phase isolation structure which the block copolymer forms, is within 10 times the exciton diffusion length.The domain structure forms a continuous layer or a quantum well structure. EXAMPLE - 1,4-Bis(chloromethyl)-2,5-bis(hexyloxy)benzene (2g) and 4-tert.-butyl benzyl chloride (0.05g) are dissolved in 100ml THF, and stirred while ice cooling.    A solution (60ml) of t-BuOK/THF is added. After stirring for 10 hours at 25degreesC, 2,5-bis(hexyloxy)-terephthaldehyde (2g) and 1,4-bis(cyanomethyl)-2,5-bis(hexyloxy) benzene (2g) are added.    The reaction solution is filtered to give a block polymer of formula (i)    where n = 20 and m = 30).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The part made of degradable plastic is a separator of a fuel cell or a battery case of secondary battery. The degradable plastic has conductivity. A condition in which the degradable plastic is decomposed is different from a condition in which the degradable plastic is used in a vehicle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The liquid is substantially water. The membrane has platinum and preferably also ruthenium applied to at least one surface.Preferred Substrate: The substrate comprises sheets of carbon paper, carbon cloth, or ELAT (RTM: carbon substrate with a microporous layer comprising Teflon (TRM; polytetrafluoroethylene)-bonded high surface area carbon particles).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The electrically conductive layer is substantially hydrophobic. It includes polytetrafluoroethylene and high surface area carbon particles. The microporous layer comprises Teflon (RTM: polytetrafluoroethylene) and a dispersion of high surface area carbon particles. The membrane is comprises substantially of polyperfluorosulfonic acid or Nafion (RTM; cation exchange membrane base on perfluorocarbon polymers with side chain termini of perfluorosulfonic acid groups).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: A catalyst has been applied to at least one side of the membrane of the fuel cell. The channels are formed by, embossing the channels into the microporous layer. The embossing step uses high-pressure indentation techniques. The substrate is coated at a thickness that when dried, the layer tends to fracture resulting in cracks that forms the channels. The drying step includes sintering the microporous layer at a glass transition temperature of Teflon (RTM; polytetrafluoroethylene).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The battery pack further comprises a locking latch defined along an outer edge of each of the first and second locking latches for engaging first and second latching detents defined within the interior casing of the hand-held electronic device for securing the battery pack within the electronic pack. It further comprises an electrical battery contact disposed along the outer perimeter of the battery cell for electrical contact with a mating contact defined within the interior of the portable electronic device. The battery cell includes a lithium ion battery cell.Preferred Dimension: The battery pack has a length of 90, preferably 40 mm.Preferred Property: The battery pack has a thickness of 4.5 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The battery cell casing is made from a polycarbonate material.Preferred Component: The battery cell comprises a lithium polymer battery cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The lithium salt is lithium perchlorate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithium hexafluorophosphate or lithium hexafluoroarsenate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The lithium salt is lithium tetrafluoromethane sulfite or lithium trifluoromethane sulfonyl nitride. EXAMPLE - Octamethyl cyclotetra siloxane-tri(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (D4-TEGMP164 (RTM)) (5 g), octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane (1.4 g) and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl disiloxane-1,3-di(propylacrylate) (1.46 g) were charged into a 3-necked flask. Fuming sulfuric acid (0.014 ml) was added dropwise and reacted at 30-35 degreesC for 6 hours. Distilled water (0.03 ml) was added and reacted for 1 hour. Chloroform (1.4 ml) and sodium sulfate saturated aqueous solution were added to the reaction mixture and washed with sodium carbonate aqueous solution (5 wt.%) to neutralize. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate and active carbon were added to the neutralized reaction mixture and stirred for 12 hours and filtered. The resulting filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to produce CTA-0505 (RTM: polyethylene oxide-substituted polysiloxane copolymer crosslinking agent) (4.5 g at a yield of 57.3 %).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The electrical high resistance layer contains polyimide, polyester and/or polyethylene material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The absorbent material comprises a sodium salt of a carboxy group containing polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The electroconductive organic polymer is poly pyridine, polyindole, polyphenyl quinoxaline, polyvinyl sulfonic acid or phenolsulfonic-acid novolac resin. The proton exchange film consists of sulfonate of styrene/divinylbenzene copolymer, polyisoprene or polybenzimidazole.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The inorganic redoxable catalyst is chosen from platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, silver, nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum or its oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The fuel cell contains a cathode and an anode arranged on both sides of an electrolyte film. An oxidizing agent is supplied to the cathode with a gas, and a reducer is supplied to the anode with a gas. The electrode contains a catalyst containing electroconductive organic polymer and/or redox functioning group. The fuel cell contains a proton exchange film containing a polymer comprising an acidic radical and a hydrocarbon structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The high molecular compound is polyphenylene sulfide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The alcohol solvent is methane, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and/or n-propyl alcohol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The conductive polymers are polypyrrole, polyaniline or their derivatives.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Arrangement: The electrode is equipped with an active material layer which contains active material particle coated with phosphorylated or phosphoric acid compound-containing cellulose-type compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The cellulose-type compound is cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and/or their ether derivatives. The ether derivative has a structure in which carbon of the side chain in the basic structure of cellulose couples via phosphoric acid, or phosphorus and oxygen of a phosphoric acid compound. The phosphoric acid or phosphoric acid compound is chosen from orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, organic phosphoric acid of formula (I) and phosphate.PO(OR1)(OR2)(OR3) (I)R1, R2 and/or R3 = alkyl or allyl, with the others being H.The phosphoric acid or phosphoric acid compound is preferably ammonium phosphate or phosphoric acid ester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The heat resistant resin layer consists of 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer or copolymer of 4- methyl-1-pentene and 2-20C alpha-olefin such as ethylene, propylene, butene and hexene, graft modified with unsaturated carboxylic acid. A 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer or copolymer of 4-methyl-1-pentene and 2-20C alpha-olefins such as ethylene, propylene, butene and hexene, and/or alpha-olefin polymer, ethylene- alpha-olefin copolymer, propylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, alpha-olefin polymer graft modified with unsaturated carboxylic acid, copolymer of alpha-olefin or butadiene rubber, is optionally blended with resin of the heat resistant resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The conductive flow field plate is made by compression molding or transfer pressing graphite-filled polymer. It comprises 5-40, preferably 30 wt.% polymer, 6-95, preferably 50 or 20 wt.% graphite powder and 0-50, preferably 20 or 50 wt.% graphite powder. The conductive plate may comprise 30 wt.% polymer and 70 wt.% graphite powder.Preferred Components: The polymer is liquid crystalline polyester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The gas permeable membrane (36) functions as a covering for at least a portion of a first side of the fuel flow field. It is liquid impermeable and comprises a first material for blocking gaseous communication through the membrane and a second material for allowing gaseous communication through the membrane. The materials are bonded together to form a single gas permeable membrane and comprise openings. The second material is divided into portions that are spaced apart along the first material. It comprises a web of micromesh for allowing the release of gaseous products. The first material comprises strips positioned intermittently along the second material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The second material comprises Zintex or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The substrate is porous and a vacuum is applied to the substrate opposite the surface on which the polymeric material and the particulates are co-deposited. The catalytic material and the support material are separately introduced to the upstream region and combined to form the particulates prior to introduction into the downstream region. The catalytic material is formed in the upstream region by combustion chemical vapor deposition. The support material is introduced into the upstream region as a dry powder. A spray of quench liquid is introduced into the upstream region. The water binding material is in amounts to allow continued operation of a fuel cell at 150-200 degrees C or above.Preferred Components: The particulates comprise a conducting support material and a catalytic material on the surface of the conducting support material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The transparent resin block is defined on a lower surface with packing member fitting grooves (13) and a packing member fitted to the groove so that waterproofness is ensured between the lower surface of the transparent resin block and an upper surface of the lower cover.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The aromatic group or 1-12C alkyl of the organic group is directly attached to the carbon.Preferred Concentration: The organic group is present at a level of 0.1-4 micromoles/square meter of the carbon used based on the nitrogen surface area of the carbon.Preferred Property: The body has a mean pore size greater than 2 microns, open porosity greater than 25% of the body, and bubble pressure greater than 5 pounds/square inch. The pores of the body are hydrophilic to wick fill to grater than 70% of a vacuum filled level.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The thermoset binder is phenolic resin, vinyl ester resin, epoxy resin, diallyl phthalate resin, or urethane resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The filler is made of gold, platinum, graphite, conductive carbon, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium or rare earth metals.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred materials: The polymer matrix is selected from epoxies, polyamide-imides, polyetherimides, polyphenols, fluoroelastomers, polyesters, phenoxy-phenolics, epoxidephenolics, acrylics or urethanes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Thermal Storage Material: The thermal storage material is sodium-acetate-trihydrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Heat Exchange Tube Material: The heat exchange tube is made of copper. Preferred Fin Material: The fin is made of aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Acid Salt: The (meth) acrylic acid salt is (meth) acrylic acid potassium salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The base film consist of fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin, polycarbonate, poly acrylic, polystyrene, polyamide or polyester type resin film. The polypropylene resin film consists of film of homopolymer or copolymer of propylene and another monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The adhesive of the electroconductive adhesive tape is selected from natural rubber, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, polyurethane, polyester, silicone rubber, fluororubber, polyvinyl butyral and isobutylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Electroconductive filler contained in the electroconductive tape is selected from copper, silver, gold, platinum, stainless steel, iron, aluminum, nickel, carbon black, carbon fiber and graphite powder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The protective coat is formed of insulating resin including fluororesin, thermosetting resin selected from the group comprising phenol resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, polyimide resin and polyurethane resin. The adhesive agent included in the insulating resin is selected from the group comprising cyano acrylate, polyester and chloroprene rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The ceramic insulating filler in the electrolyte is selected from the group comprising titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), BaTiO3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polymer in the electrolyte is selected from the group comprising polyethylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidenefluoride and polymethyl methacrylate.
EXAMPLE - (In grams) A reactor was added with 3,3',4,4'-tetraamino diphenyl sulfone (1.5), mono sodium salt of 2,5-dicarboxy benzene sulfonic acid (1.445), polyphosphoric acid (20.48) and phosphorus pentoxide (16.41). The reactor was heated to 100degreesC and maintained at 100degreesC for 1.5 hours. The reactor temperature was sequentially raised to 150degreesC, 200degreesC and the contents were polymerized for 4 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled, and the polymer formed was extracted with water, washed and dried under reduced pressure at 80degreesC. The polymer was found to have logarithmic viscosity of 1.37 in sulfuric acid. The polymer (400 mg) was dissolved in N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) (4 ml) and the resulting solution was heated to 170degreesC in an oil bath. The solution was spread on a glass plate of thickness 225 mum and NMP was evaporated. The film was removed from glass plate and dried at 80degreesC. The film was found to have ionic conductivity of 0.018 S/cm at 80degreesC and 95% relative humidity. The film was also found to have stabilized ionic conductivity for a long time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Methods: The heating of liquid monomer also comprises forming the vapor in a heated chamber.The monomer is heated to less than 80C to form the vapor.The polymerization is induced by radiation source (30, 31).Preferred Components: The heated chamber comprises parallel sides and gated aperture (80). The gated aperture is adjustable to provide a cross-sectional area of 0-30% of the surface area of the liquid monomer in the heated chamber.The substrate is a web moving past the radiation source.The web is supplied by the spool (14) to a cooling drum (10).The radiation source comprises e-beam and/or ultraviolet radiation.The radiation source can also be an x-ray radiation. The liquid monomer comprises (poly)glycol acrylates, and/or polyol polyacrylates.The liquid monomer is preferably hexanediol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, or tripropyleneglycol diacrylate.The system also comprises rotating cooling drum for transporting the substrate from the evaporation chamber to curing system to a take-up reel. Preferred Parameters: The substrate surface is at less than 30, preferably less than 20 degrees C.The vapor pressure of the liquid monomer is 10-2-10-4 at STP.The molecular weight of the monomer is 150-800. The polymer coating is 0.005-10 mum thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polymer electrolyte gel is formed of an N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solvent and the PVDF polymer or their copolymer; or a 3-methoxypropionitrile solvent and the PVDF polymer or their copolymer, which is dissolved in a solvent to a predetermined amount.Preferred Condition: The polymer electrolyte gel is formed by mixing PVDF (3-20 wt.%) polymer of their copolymer based on the weight of the solvent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The semiconductor electrode is formed by of a transparent conductive substrate (22) and a transition metal oxide layer (14), which is coated on the transparent substrate. The semiconductor electrode further comprises a dye molecular layer that is chemically adsorbed to the transition metal oxide layer. The opposed electrode is formed of a transparent conductive substrate and a platinum layer (24) that is coated on the transparent substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The dye molecular layer is formed of ruthenium complex.Preferred Component: The transition metal oxide layer is formed of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Drying is implemented at room temperature to 60 degreesC for 1 minute-1 hour. The polymer electrolyte composition is coated on the first electrode to a thickness of 20-100 mum. The second electrode is attached with the polymer electrolyte layer by applying a pressure of 0.01-100 N/cm2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The polymer electrolyte composition has a viscosity of 1000-50000 cPs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Component: The fibrous containment mat is formed of dielectric fibers. The energy storage device includes a case having a wall outer surface (32).The implantable medical device further includes housing (22) having wall defining an interior housing volume (28), and battery having case with wall enclosing interior case volume.Preferred Condition: The temperature T1 is 50-80 degrees C.Preferred Material: The high heat capacity material includes paraffin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The deposition includes depositing paraffin, polyethylene, or polypropylene.Preferred Material: The fibrous containment mat comprises Kevlar (RTM: poly p-phenylene terephthalamide) and fiberglass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The high molecular compound particles are crystalline polymer compound and crystalline polyolefin containing fluorine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The additive further contains 0.01-5% of polyvinyl alcohol, 0.01-2% of polyethylene glycol, 0.01-0.5% of polymethyl acrylate and/or 0.01-2% of lignin. EXAMPLE - A lead storage battery comprising 5% polyvinyl alcohol solution (50 cc) and mixed aqueous solution (10 cc) of tin sulfate and indium sulfate was manufactured. Reduction in capacitance was not observed even when the battery was repeatedly charged and discharged for 10 days.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The siloxane derivative has kinematic viscosity of 5000 mm2/second or less at 25 degreesC, and weight average molecular weight of 10000 or less. The electrolyte has an electric conductivity of 0.01 S/m or more at 25degreesC.Preferred Composition: The electrolyte salt is lithium salt. The siloxane derivative has formula (2).b = 0-3;c = 1-4;t,s = 0-40;R3 = methyl; andR4 = R1b+c = 4. The negative electrode contains occlusion and detachable negative electrode material or lithium metal. The positive electrode contains occlusion and detachable oxides or sulfide. EXAMPLE - A siloxane derivative (1 g) of formula (11) having a weight average molecular weight of 631 and kinematic viscosity of 16 mm2/second at 25degreesC, was added to lithium salt (1 mol) having a formula: (CF3SO2)2 NLi, to produce an electrolyte. The produced electrolyte had electric conductivity of 0.0383 S/m at 25degreesC.    a = 1;    m = 0;    n, q = 4;    r = 0; and    R1, R2 = CH3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte contains polyvinylidene fluoride and inorganic particle in a mass ratio of 10:90-30:70, and ethylene carbonate as solvent. EXAMPLE - A battery was formed using a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a solid electrolyte. The positive electrode comprised lithium cobaltate as active material, polyvinylidene fluoride polymer as binder and acetylene black as conductive support agent. The negative electrode comprised graphite as active material, polyvinylidene fluoride homopolymer as binder and acetylene black as conductive support agent. A fine porous film made of polyvinylidene fluoride and comprising silica as electrically inactive inorganic particle was formed. The fine porous film comprised polyvinylidene fluoride and silica in a mass ratio of 25:75. The obtained microporous film was gelatinized in ethylene carbonate and gamma-butyrolactone in a mass ratio of 2:8. The obtained microporous film was used as solid electrolyte. The electrolyte comprised lithium tetrafluoroborate as electrolyte salt. The battery was subjected to overcharge test. There was no generation of internal short circuit using the battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Cell: The edge portion of sealant and film are heat fused. The thermosoftening polymer is impregnated to the portion of separator opposing the sealant and is heat fused. The surface of the portion of separator opposing the sealant is roughened. The separator is metal or carbon.Preferred Property: The polymer is a thermoplastic resin having softening temperature of 100 degreesC or more.Preferred Resin: The thermoplastic resin is polyphenylene ether, polyacetal, polycarbonate, nylon 11 or ion exchanger resin. The ion exchanger resin is perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid polymer, perfluorocarbon carboxylic acid polymer, styrene sulfonic acid divinylbenzene copolymer, styrene sulfonic acid butadiene copolymer or sulfonated polyethylene. EXAMPLE - A separator was arranged on fuel electrode. Subsequently, air electrode and another separator were laminated. 5% perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid polymer solution was applied on a peripheral portion of a surface opposing fuel electrode of fuel electrode side separator. An insulating sheet material of thickness 5 microns was formed. Insulating sheet material containing frame-like synthetic fiber was formed on air electrode side separator. The separator contained carbon material. Perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid film was used as a solid polymer electrolyte film. The film was formed between the electrodes. The film and insulating sheet material were fused at heat fusion temperature of 150 degreesC and pressure of 50 kg/cm2. A solid polymer fuel cell was formed. The obtained cell had excellent insulation and gas seal properties.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The porous sheet has a maximum pore size of 0.1-0.7 mm and a thickness of 30 microns or less.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sheet: The porous sheet is a papermaking component of a mixture of synthetic resin fiber of un-swelling property and acid resistance with respect to an electrolyte liquid, and a hydrophilic inorganic compound particle. The weight proportion of the hydrophilic inorganic compound particle in the porous sheet is 40-70%. The synthetic resin fiber is a polyolefin resin fiber and a hydrophilic inorganic compound particle is a mixture of diatomaceous earth and white carbon. EXAMPLE - A positive and negative electrode plates were laminated through a separator. The separator arranged a porous sheet between fiberglass mat and positive and negative electrode plates. The fiberglass mat contained a glass fiber of 19 microns size and thickness of 1 mm. The porous sheet contained a mixture of 40% of polyethylene fiber having 10 microns size, 60% of paper and inorganic filler. The inorganic filler was a mixture of diatomaceous earth having an average particle diameter of 20 microns and white carbon having an average particle diameter of 0.1 microns blended in a ratio of 5:4. The porous sheet had a thickness of 0.22 mm and a porosity of 69%. A lead storage battery was produced with favorable discharge charging cycle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The adhesion resin layer comprises at least one acid modified polypropylene resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Methods: The element is prepared by applying the first substrate to the polymer membrane by lamination. The second substrate is removed to form catalyst coated membrane comprising the polymer membrane sandwiched between the first and second electrodes. The coating is applied by flexographic printing. Its application and drying steps are repeated to form multiple electrode layers that vary in composition and with predetermined non-uniform distribution of electrocatalyst across the electrode layer. A non-electrocatalytic coating composition (abrasion-resistant coating) is applied to form non-electrocatalytic layer.Preferred Components: The coating composition comprises an electrocatalyst, an ion exchange polymer, and a liquid medium. The exchange polymer is perfluorinated. The coating composition further comprises fluorinated polymer (polytetrafluoroethylene fibril). The first and second substrates are consist of polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, fluoropolymers, polyacetals, polyolefins, or polyimides, preferably polyester. EXAMPLE - The catalyst coated membrane was prepared by flexographic printing of cathode ink onto specific area of exposed side of the membrane. Solvent was removed. The second substrate was applied over the ink coated side of the coated membrane. The laminate was placed on a flat surface and the first substrate was then removed. A second electrocatalytic coating composition was prepared. This anode ink was printed by flexographic process onto specific area of the membrane. Solvent was removed and the dimensional change of the final product versus the original coated size was 0-1%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The cooling bladder comprises a continuous hollowed interior within which the heat transfer medium passes. It has flow channels and covers all of a surface area of each of the cells. It has a support arrangement that inhibits restriction of the medium flow at cooling bladder bend locations. It has a porous filler material disposed within it and thickened sections provided at cooling bladder locations subject to bending. The thermally conductive material comprises material layers and a metallic layer disposed between a first and a second polymer layer. The cells are arranged to form a cell stack. The bladder conforms to a serpentine configuration to contact the respective first and second planar surfaces of each cell. The cells comprise first, second, third, and fourth edges. The heat transfer medium comprises water and ethylene glycol. The storage device comprises a housing within which the cells and cooling bladder are situated. The cells comprise lithium cells or metal hydride cells.Preferred Properties: The operating temperature is 20-130degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The thermally conductive material comprises material layers and a metallic layer disposed between a first and a second polymer layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Component: The flexible information module comprises an audio unit for playing a prerecorded message; digital communication elements for downloading digital information from an external source; or display element. The card also includes power source being charged with photovoltaic module to energize the information module; a storage element for storing data that determines the appearance of the display element; and global positioning system powered by electricity generated by the photovoltaic module for providing positional information to the display element. The audio unit includes recording elements for recording message for later playback. The information and photovoltaic modules are mounted to different surfaces on the card. The display element includes polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display. The photovoltaic module includes a photovoltaic cell having a photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material and an electrolyte redox system, and a first and second flexible light transmitting substrates between which the photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle material an the electrolyte redox system are disposed. The photovoltaic cell has photosensitized nanomatrix layer and a charge carrier medium; or a spectral response profile overlapping a spectral output profile of indoor fluorescent lighting. The display apparatus also includes an addressable processor or a wireless computer network interface for controlling the display element and connected to the photovoltaic cell. It also includes a display holder into which the base is inserted. Preferred Property: The card has a thickness of less than 500mum. It is formed from paper, plastic, from a laminated material. Preferred Information: The digital information includes audio information, such as music; display information including text or graphical images preferably color images; photographic information; handwritten characters; or video information.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The base film consists of fluorine-resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin film, polycarbonate group resin film, polyacrylic group resin film, polyamide group resin film or polyester group resin film. The polypropylene resin film consists of a film of the homopolymer of propylene or the copolymer of propylene, and another monomer. The heat sealing-resin consists of a polyolefin type resin layer or an ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The solid polymer electrolyte is a polypyrrole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polyamide resin is N-alkoxy alkylated polyamide, preferably N-methoxy methylation nylon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: A membranous gel electrolyte is formed by supporting the gel electrolyte in a porous base material membrane. EXAMPLE - Hexafluoro lithium phosphate (1.2 mol/l) was dissolved in a mixed solvent containing ethylene carbonate and ethylmethyl carbonate, and the electrolyte liquid was prepared. Bifunctional methacrylate (in g) (3) was dissolved in the electrolyte liquid (97), and stirred at room temperature. Further, benzoyl peroxide (0.06) was added, stirred at room temperature and solution (A) was prepared. The solution A in a sealed glass bottle was placed in a glove box under argon atmosphere in humidistat at 80 degreesC for 1 hour. The bifunctional methacrylate was polymerized, a crosslinked polymer was formed and a self-supporting gel electrolyte was obtained. The gel electrolyte in sealed state was placed in humidistat at 80 degreesC for 5 days, without separating liquid and maintained at gel state. A coin type rechargeable lithium-ion battery was produced using the gel electrolyte. Battery had a charging and discharging rate of 0.2 CmA and discharge capacitance ratio of 90%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The mass ratio of electrolyte liquid and polymer in the non-aqueous electrolyte is 8:1-15:1, preferably 10:1-12:1. The amount of phosphazene compound in the electrolyte is 0.1-90 mass%, preferably 1-20 mass% with respect to the electrolyte liquid.Preferred Compound: The polymer is polyalkylene oxide or polyvinylidene fluoride. EXAMPLE - Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) was dissolved in a mixed solution of ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate (3:7) to form an electrolyte liquid (A). The electrolyte liquid (A) was mixed with tripropylene glycol diacrylate in the ratio of 4:7, and mixed with 20 mass% of cyclic phosphazene compound. The mixture was polymerized and a pregel solution (A1) containing phosphazene compound was produced. On both sides of a microporous separator made from polyethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride, an anode and a cathode were arranged. The laminate was pressurized and wound to form a battery element. The pregel solution (A) was injected into the battery element and heated to polymerize the electrolyte liquid. A battery having real capacitance of 570 mAh was obtained. The battery was found to have initial stage discharge efficiency of 91%, impregnation time with respect to electrode of 24 seconds and favorable wettability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The gas permeable layer comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The protonically conductive membrane comprises Nafion (RTM: poly perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fuel from the fuel source is a methanol solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The upper and lower films are vinyl or olefin or acetate film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The films have small amount of tint for cosmetic appearance and does not reduces transmission of sunlight. The infrared (I.R.) absorbent is a solid, particulate and is non-reflective. It is preferably talc with specific gravity of 2.6-2.9. The upper and lower films are 1-40 mm thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte comprises a non-aqueous solvent (less than 99 vol.%); low-inflammability solvent (at least1 vol.%); polyacrylate compound (0.01-10 wt.%); acrylonitrile; and antimony oxide of formula SbnOm.n = 2;m = 3-5.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - Preferred Condition: The low-inflammability solvent has no point of combustion at a boiling temperature of the solvent under the Japanese Industrial Standard-K2265.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The low-inflammatory solvent comprises benzene halide of formula (I), an acetonitrile halide of formula Cn(XaXb)CN, an anhydrous halide of formula (3), (4), (5), (6) or (7), a phosphonitric trimer halide of formula (8), a phosphonate halide of formula (9) or (10) and a butane substituted with two chlorides and five fluorides of formula CF3CF2CHCl2 or CClF2CF2CHClF.1+m+n = 6;m+n = at least4;a+b = 2n+1;b = greater than 0;n = 1 or 2;Xa = H, F or Cl;Xb = F or Cl;for formula (3), (5), formula (10), X1, X2 = H, F and/or Cl;at least one of X1 and X2 = F and/or Cl;for formula (4), (6), and (9), X1-X4 = H, F, and/or Cl;at least one of X1-X4 = F and/or Cl;for formula (7), and (8), X1-X6 = H, F, and/or Cl;at least one of X1-X6 = F and/or Cl.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Condition: The surface of the negative electrode is coated with an organic layer of polyacrylate compound and acrylonitrile; or of a polyacrylate compound. EXAMPLE - A sheet-type positive electrode having a lithium cobaltite positive active material and a sheet-type negative electrode having a carbon fiber were wound to prepare an electrode element. The electrode element was inserted into a battery case. A mixed solvent of 85 vol.% of a mixture of ethylene carbonate/diethylene carbonate (3/7 volume ratio) and 15% volume% of hexafluorobenzene was used as the electrolytic solvent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The hydrogen permeable casing comprises plastic. The plastic casing comprises porous polyethylene, porous polypropylene, nylon, or polysulfone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each cell comprises an anode comprising zinc, a cathode comprising manganese dioxide, a separator in between, and electrolyte comprising aqueous potassium hydroxide. The metal elongated housing comprises a sheet of metal that is wrapped around a casing.Preferred Condition: The number of cells in the plastic casing is 3-5. The battery has a dimension of 6 mm in thickness, 17 mm in width, and 67 mm in height. The volume of the anode and the cathode is 50-75% of the external volume of the metal housing.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal comprises nickel plated cold rolled steel and stainless steel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The electrolyte is thermally polymerized to be gelated by adding a polymerizable compound containing a compound containing an acryloyl group (CH2=CHCO-O-) or a methacryloyl group (CH2=C(CH3)CO-O-). EXAMPLE - A lead was attached to a positive electrode plate produced by mixing lithium cobalt oxide with lithium manganese oxide at a ratio of 80/20 and a lead was attached to a negative electrode plate. The electrode plates were wound through a propylene separator to produce an electrode body. An electrolyte solution was prepared by using a mixture of solvent containing 25 vol.% EC, 5 vol.% PC, and 70 vol.% diethyl carbonate at a volume ratio of 25:25:50, and polypropylene glycol diacrylate of formula CH2=CHCO-O-(CH(CH3)-CH2-O)n-COCH=CH2, 5000 ppm of t-hexyl peroxypivalate was added. The mixture was injected onto an outer package that was sealed and heated at 60degreesC for 3 hours to cure the solution. The battery was evaluated and passed a 2lt overcharge test, 150degreesC thermal charge test and 80degreesC, 4-day preservation after charge. The battery also had an 86% at 60degreesC cycle characteristic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte consists of polymer obtained by polymerizing monomers of formula (II) which has a non-polar group.R1 and R2 = same as defined above.A portion of polymer electrolyte has a structure where hydrocarbon group is coupled to acryloyl group or methacryloyl group directly or indirectly. Between acryloyl or methacryloyl groups, polyethylene oxide of formula (III) and/or polypropylene oxide of formula (IV) exist. Preferred Definitions:    m = 3-30, preferably 10-18; and    R2 = isobornyl group.    EXAMPLE - An electrode material was arranged in storing space formed by sealing vertical end and center section (4a-4c) of aluminum laminated packing material (3). The electrode material was produced by winding positive electrode and negative electrode and a separator. The electrode material was arranged such that the collectors (7,8) protruded from an opening of the aluminum laminated material. An electrolyte liquid was injected between electrodes and separators, and a polymer battery was obtained. The electrolyte liquid was obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing isobornyl acrylate and polyethylene glycol diacrylate in ratio of 1:1, using t-hexylperoxy pivalate as a polymerization initiator and mixture containing ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate in a ratio of 40:60, as mixed solvent. The polymer battery was found to have capacitance maintenance factor of 95%, after 300 cycles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The soft resin sheet contains ethylene resin selected from the group comprising polyethylene or ethylene-(alpha) olefine copolymer, ethylene acrylate copolymer and alkoxysilane compounds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The possible material for the casting compound guide elements include PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile and polycarbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: Silicone sealant or a rubber profile is fitted between the frame and cover.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: A waveform of an electrical current applied to an electrode is optimized by applying an electrical current to an electrode of the fuel cell stack; determining a waveform of the voltage or the current of the electrical current; representing the waveform by a mathematical description, e.g. number of points or an analytical functions characterized by a number of unknown coefficients and a fixed number of known functions; measuring a function of the fuel cell associated with the application of the electrical current; feeding the waveform description and the measurements to an algorithm that may be in a computer program or other calculating device including manual calculations including an optimization routine that uses the points or coefficients as independent variables for optimizing the function of the device; and performing the calculations to determine values of the points or coefficients that optimize the function of the device and to determine an optimized waveform of the electrical current to be applied to the electrode of the fuel cell. Preferred System: The system further comprises a simplified fuel processor having a fuel reformer and no water-gas shift reactor and no carbon monoxide cleanup reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A temperature of the conduit reflects an operation temperature of the fuel cell. The conduit includes a flexible tube connecting the fuel source with the anode chamber. The fuel source is a fuel cartridge, a pump or a mixing chamber. The valve is positioned adjacent the flexible tube. A positioning of the switch between the first position and the second position is variable depending upon an operating temperature of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel comprises methanol. The liquid medium is water and/or methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The heat-sensitive valve comprises a bimetal material. The valve comprises a shape memory alloy, preferably nickel-titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The first material comprises Nafion (RTM: Perfluorosulfonate Ionomer).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The negative electrode collector comprises foil of copper or copper alloy electrically deposited. The negative electrode composite further comprises a conductive metal material. The binder resin contains polyimide.Preferred Property: The negative electrode collector has an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of not less than 0.2 (preferably not less than 0.5) microns at the surface formed with the negative composite layer. A thickness X (microns) of the negative electrode composite layer satisfies the condition: X/Ra at least 250. The silicon has a mean particle size of not more than 10 microns.Preferred Composition: The negative electrode composite layer contains 0.5-30 (preferably 0.9-18) wt.% conductive carbon material and 5-40 wt.% binder resin.Preferred Composition: The carbon material is a Ketchen black.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The insulating tape is formed of polymeric resin, preferably polyethylenes, polypropylenes or amorphous polyamides.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The insulating tape is formed by thermally fusing the insulating tape around at least one of leads. It can also be formed by compression-molding a composition for the insulating tape dropped onto at least one of the leads. In pre-attaching the insulating tape to the electrode, a polyethylene tape is attached around a portion of the electrode lead. In dropping composition for the insulating tape onto the electrode lead, a composition containing amorphous polyamides is dropped via an extruder into the electrode lead.Preferred Composition: The composition of the insulating tape contains 1-5 wt.% acrylic acid to enhance adhesion of the insulating tape to the electrode lead.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The board-retaining portion is formed in an opening provided in each internal surface of upper and lower parts of the mold. Each side of the board is inserted in each opening of upper and lower parts to position the board to be retained. The opening of the board-retaining portion is formed in a gap between a projecting portion and a step portion. Each side of the board is inserted in each opening formed between the projecting portion and the step portion of upper and lower parts one side to another side to position the board to be retained. The projecting portion and the step portion are provided to the mold to position the board. The projecting portion actuated by a cylinder positions the board. It is actuated higher when the battery and the board are mounted into the mold. It is actuated lower when inserting the mold.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The board has a lug portion (34) to be inserted into a board-retaining portion of a mold to be retained with positioning. The board is formed in a rectangular shape. The lug portions are provided at a pair of the end portions on side of the longitudinal direction. A circuit portion (35) is provided on the back of the board. It has a protection circuit for protecting the battery from over-charging or over-discharging when charged or discharged. The board has terminals for connecting on its back. The terminals are connected to the battery via leads (41, 42).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The mold material is polyamide resin or polyurethane resin.Preferred Method: The mold material is injected from an injecting orifice provided at the position facing the space. Polyamide resin as mold material is injected to the space between the battery and the board with molding pressure of 0.5-1 MPa at 200-230degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Elements: The composite covering layer comprises 1-20 mg/m2 aminated phenolic polymer, 0.5-50 mg/m2 chromium compound and 0.5-5 mg/m2 phosphorus compound. Before applying the coating, the surface is subjected to alkaline degreasing and/or pickling. EXAMPLE - A battery was made with a copper terminal (a) and an aluminum terminal (b), both 4 mm wide and 100 mum thick. Terminal (a) was degreased with alkali and rinsed with water, then pickled with chromate and rinsed with water again. Both terminals were given a composite coating, comprising (a) 10, (b) 10.0 mg/m2 aminated phenolic polymer, (a) 5, (b) 2.0 mg/m2 chromium compound and (a) 1, (b) 1.5 mg/m2 phosphorus compound. These terminals were fitted to a battery, which was then placed in a casing, filled with 5 g electrolyte, comprising 1 mole lithium phosphate hexafluoride in ethylene carbonate : diethyl carbonate : dimethyl carbonate in 1:1:1 ratio, and sealed. In storage tests for 30 days at 85degreesC, with the terminal at the bottom, the seal was satisfactory and there were no leaks at either terminal. In batteries with untreated copper terminals, there were leaks from these terminals in 30 of 50 test objects.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The compound is a (co)oligomer of molecular weight 200-1000 or (co)polymer of molecular weight 1000-500000, with (1) (groups) in the side chain. The side chain preferably contains at least 2 (2-10) groups Z, linked by an optionally unsaturated connecting group (preferably derived from 5-14C aromatic hydrocarbon or alkine), and x+y+x'+y' = 20 or more. It is insoluble in the electrolyte solvent. A substituent group of Z includes S, Si, P or B.Preferred Material: The material contains a redox catalyst. EXAMPLE - An electrode of 215mum thick, 12mm diameter was prepared from 25g of a polymer of molecular weight 5E4 containing (3,5,6-trimethyl-1,4-diazin-2-yl dioxide)-vinyl units (no further details), 200mg powdered graphite and 25mg polytetrafluoroethylene binder, and used to make a coin-type battery. The battery was charged at 0.1mA to 4.5V. Discharge was 0.1mA, flat voltage about 4V. Capacity was 118mAh/g. When charge/discharge was repeated 10 times, flat part voltage was still about 4V. In a comparison battery with the polymer replaced by an equal amount of graphite, there was no flat part of the voltage curve.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The water-repellent substance is fluororesin, silicon resin, silane-coupling agent and/or wax.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carbonaceous Materials: The carbonaceous material is carbon black, graphite and/or carbon fiber.Preferred Electrode Materials: The material is for producing electrodes in fuel cells. EXAMPLE - A mixture of carbon black (average particle size = 30 nm, specific surface area = 254 m2/g and DBP oil absorption = 174 ml/100 g; 80 parts) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene; 20 parts) was blended for 5 minutes then 50 g of which was dispersed in ethanol (300 parts) for 1-2 hours. The dispersion was heated at 360degreesC for 1 hour, and the residue was pulverized to give a water-repellent carbonaceous material for test: good water-repellency was observed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The quaternary ammonium ion is of formula N+R1R2R3R4R1-R4 = alkyl, aryl, aralkyl;R3+R4 = cycloalkyl.;preferably of formula (I)-(IV).The Bronsted-Lowry acid is of formula (V)-(VIII) or sulfonyl methide acid;x,y,z = positive numberThe proton conductor further comprises an addition polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The insulation component is thin film or bag shaped containing polyimide or polytetrafluoroethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The adhesive is applied to a thickness of 0.05-0.15 mm. The adhesive hardens in 40 minutes (especially 60 minutes) at 120 degrees C, 20 minutes at 150 degrees C, 7 minutes at 18 degrees C and in 2 minutes at 205 degrees C. After hardening, the adhesive is cooled to 90 degrees C and the mechanical fixing unit is removed. The heating rate is 2-5 degrees C/min.Preferred Adhesive: The adhesive is a modified epoxy resin. It contains a metallic filler.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The solar cell is bonded to the thin plate by an adhesive. The solar cell comprises a transparent film (13) attached on a front face of the solar cell, and an insulating sheet (14) interposed between a rear face of the solar cell and the thin plate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The crystalline substrate comprises crystalline silicon substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The pitch is introduced as granulated, powdered or pelletized pitch. Purging is effected by a vacuum step. It is also effected by an inert fluid. The vacuum is applied at less than 1 torr. Nitrogen is introduced as the inert fluid. The pitch is heated to 500-1000, preferably 630 degreesC to coke the pitch. The temperature to coke the pitch is raised at a rate not more than 5 degreesC/minute. The pitch is soaked at the coking temperature for at least 15 minutes to effect the coking. It is heated to 50-100 degreesC to coalesce the pitch. The foam is cooled at a rate of approximately 1.5 degreesC/minute with the release of pressure at a rate of approximately 2 psi/minute. It is densified.Preferred Material: The phase change material is germanium. The encasement material is aluminum. The encasement material is a carbon/carbon composite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The pitch can be of synthetic mesophase isotropic pitch, petroleum derived mesophase or isotropic pitch, and coal derived mesophase and/or isotropic pitch.Preferred Material: The encasement material is polyethylene.Preferred Material: The phase change material is acetic acid or paraffin wax.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Surfactant: The amine oxide surfactant has a decomposition temperature of less than 200 degrees C.Preferred Material: The amine oxide surfactant is of formula (I) or is an alkyl dimethylamine oxide of formula (II).R = 1-20C alkyl which may include ether oxygens,may be substituted with alcohol and may be additionally substituted;n = 9-19, preferably 11-15.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The highly fluorinated polymers have a sintering temperature which is at least 5 degrees C higher than the amine oxide decomposition temperature.Preferred Composition: The composition comprises (wt.%) carbon particles (1-50), highly fluorinated polymers (0.1-15) and amine oxide surfactant (0.1-15). The substrate comprises carbon fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The concentration of PEG BCME in the mixture is 50-5000 ppm, preferably 200-500 ppm. The PEG BCME has chemical formula: HO2CCH2O-(CH2-CH2-O)n-CH2CO2H,n = 5-50, preferably 11The PEG BCME has a molecular weight of 200-2000, preferably 600. EXAMPLE - Zinc-air cell having anode containing polyethylene glycol bicarboxymethyl ether (PEG BCME), potassium hydroxide as electrolyte and indium hydroxide, zinc oxide particles and Carbopol as gelling agent, was constructed. The concentration of PEG BCME having a molecular weight of 600, in the mixture was 200 ppm. The constructed zinc-air cell had high capacity and potential. The cell had reduced corrosion rate, enhanced electrochemical properties and extended high level of performance.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The olefin-type resin is polyethylene and/or polypropylene copolymer. The separator comprises polyamide group resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The positive electrode comprises nickel and the negative electrode comprises hydrogen occlusion alloy. The resin material is provided in the peripheral side of the electrodes. EXAMPLE - A battery comprising hydrogen occlusion alloy negative electrode and nickel positive electrode, with aqueous potassium hydroxide electrolyte liquid, was manufactured. A polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer resin material was provided in the periphery of the electrodes. The obtained battery had an internal resistance of 12 m-Ohms and a self-discharge rate of 20%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The substructure (7) comprises a fibre reinforced plastics sheet and is formed by deep drawing. Film (6) is of crystallizable polymer, especially polyethylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate or polyethylene terephthalate.Preferred Method: The reflecting surface of film (6) is contacted with wave contoured mold surface (2). A hardenable fluid composition is contacted with the reverse side of film (6). The construction is removed from the mold after hardening of the composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The temperature is below 200 degrees C, preferably at room temperature. At least a portion of the metal oxide nanoparticles are interconnected via a mechanical bridge formed by the reactive groups binding with the metal oxide nanoparticles. The substrate is dipped into the solution comprising the polymeric linking agent. The method further comprises contacting the metal oxide nanoparticles with a modifier solution. EXAMPLE - A titanium dioxide nanoparticle film was coated on a tin oxide:fluorine (SnO 2:F) coated glass slide. The polylinker solution was a 1 wt.% solution of the poly(n-butyl titanate) in n-butanol. The concentration of the polylinker in the solvent was preferably less than 5 wt.%. To interconnect the particles, the nanoparticle film coated slide was dipped in the polylinker solution for 15 minutes and heated at 150 degrees C for 30 minutes. The polylinker treated titanium dioxide (TiO 2) film was photosensitized with a 3 x 10 -4 N3 dye solution for 1 hour. The polylinker treated TiO 2 film coated slide was fabricated into a 0.6 cm 2 photovoltaic cell by sandwiching a triiodide based liquid redox electrolyte between the TiO 2 film coated slide a platinum coated SnO 2:F glass slide using 2 mil SURLYN 1702 hot melt adhesive. The platinum coating was approximately 60 nm thick. The cell exhibited a solar conversion efficiency of as high as 3.33% at AM 1.5 solar simulator conditions. The completed solar cells exhibited an average solar conversion efficiency of 3.02%, an average open circuit voltage of 0.66 V, an average short circuit current of 8.71 mA/cm 2, and an average fill factor of 0.49.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butyleneglycol. It is a bicontinuous emulsion comprising a coexisting mixture of 60-40 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro-emulsion and 40-60 vol.% of a hydrocarbon-in-water macro-emulsion.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon is in the boiling range of -1-260degreesC. The water is free of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of the long form of The Periodic Table of Elements. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700degreesC. The microemulsion has a viscosity that decreases at 15-80degreesC. It has a conductivity of 3-25 mhos at 25degreesC. It is stable to freeze thaw cycles at -54-50degreesC. EXAMPLE - Naphtha, a hydrocarbon mixture distilling at 50-400degreesF was used as the hydrocarbon and double distilled deionized water as the aqueous phase. Alkyl ethoxylated triazine surfactant (I) (1 wt.%, R' = 12C, n = 4) was added. Interfacial tension of the solution was determined by pendant drop method. Greater than 96% reduction in interfacial tension was observed indicative of the propensity for spontaneous emulsification of the water and hydrocarbon phases. The solution exhibited an interfacial tension of 0.9 dynes/cm as compared to naphtha/water solution, which was 53.02 dynes/cm. The surfactant decomposed at 250-400degreesC. At 400degreesC, 95% of the surfactant had decomposed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The microemulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butyleneglycol. It is a bicontinuous microemulsion comprising a coexisting mixture of at least 90 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon microemulsion and 1-10 vol.% of a hydrocarbon-in-water micro-emulsion.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon is in the boiling range of -1-260degreesC. The water is free of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of the long form of The Periodic Table of Elements. The surfactant thermally decomposes below 700degreesC. The microemulsion has a viscosity that decreases at 15-80degreesC. It has a conductivity of 0.5-15 mhos at 25degreesC. It is stable to freeze thaw cycles at -54-50degreesC. EXAMPLE - Naphtha, a hydrocarbon mixture distilling at 50-400degreesF was used as the hydrocarbon and double distilled deionized water as the aqueous phase. Alkyl ethoxylated ammonium salicylate (I) (0.8 wt.%, n = 17, x+y = 5) was added. Interfacial tension of the solution was determined by pendant drop method. Greater than 96% reduction in interfacial tension was observed indicative of the propensity for spontaneous emulsification of the water and hydrocarbon phases. The solution exhibited an interfacial tension of 0.78 dynes/cm as compared to naphtha/water solution, which was 53.02 dynes/cm. The surfactant decomposed at 250-700degreesC. All of the surfactants decomposed at 400degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butyleneglycol. It is a bicontinuous emulsion comprising a coexisting mixture of at least 80 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro-emulsion and 1-20 vol.% of a hydrocarbon-in-water micro-emulsion.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon is in the boiling range of -1-260degreesC. The water is free of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of the long form of The Periodic Table of Elements. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700degreesC. The emulsion has a viscosity that decreases at 15-80degreesC. It has a conductivity of 3-15 mhos at 25degreesC. It is stable to freeze thaw cycles at -54-50degreesC. EXAMPLE - Naphtha, a hydrocarbon mixture distilling at 50-400degreesF was used as the hydrocarbon and double distilled deionized water as the aqueous phase. Ethoxylated alkyl amine (I) (0.75 wt.%, n = 11, x+y = 10) was added. Interfacial tension of the solution was determined by pendant drop method. Greater than 96% reduction in interfacial tension was observed indicative of the propensity for spontaneous emulsification of the water and hydrocarbon phases. The solution exhibited an interfacial tension of 0.78 dynes/cm as compared to naphtha/water solution, which was 53.02 dynes/cm. The surfactant decomposed at 250-700degreesC. At 400degreesC, complete decomposition had occurred.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butyleneglycol. It is a bicontinuous emulsion comprising a coexisting mixture of at least 90 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro emulsion and 1-10 vol.% of a hydrocarbon-in-water micro emulsion.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon is in the boiling range of -1-260degreesC. The water is free of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of the long form of The Periodic Table of Elements. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700degreesC. The microemulsion has a viscosity that decreases at 15-80degreesC. It has a conductivity of 3-15 mhos at 25degreesC. It is stable to freeze thaw cycles at -54-50degreesC. EXAMPLE - Naphtha, a hydrocarbon mixture distilling at 50-400degreesF was used as the hydrocarbon and double distilled deionized water as the aqueous phase. Ethoxylated branched alkyl alcohol (I) (1 wt.%, R = 12C branched, n = 10) was added. Interfacial tension of the solution was determined by pendant drop method. A greater reduction in interfacial tension was observed by branched surfactant compared to linear counterpart. This was indicative of higher emulsification efficiency for the branched surfactant over linear counterpart. The solution exhibited an interfacial tension of 0.75 dynes/cm as compared to naphtha/water solution, which was 53.02 dynes/cm and naphtha/water with 1 wt.% ethoxylated linear alkyl alcohol, which had interfacial tension of 3.2 dynes/cm. The surfactant decomposed at 250-400degreesC. All of the surfactants decomposed at 400degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The silicon kerf molding compound is doped with boron or phosphorus.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The cross-linking agent comprises an organometallic molecule. The cross-linking agent and the semiconductor particles comprise an identical chemical element, and an identical chemical bond. The chemical bond is a metal to a non-metal bond, preferably a metal-oxygen bond. The semiconductor particles are disposed on a first substrate (32).Preferred Method: A dye is applied on the semiconductor particles. A second substrate (34) is electrically connected to the first substrate. The first substrate is heated to less than 400degreesC. A catalyst layer (40) comprising platinum is disposed on the second substrate. The substrates are flexible.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The chemical element comprises titanium, zirconium, or zinc. The dye comprises titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The cross-linking agent comprises metal alkoxides, metal acetates, or metal halides.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The cross-linking agent comprises a sol-gel precursor. The first and second substrates comprise a polymeric material comprising polyethylene terephthalate, or polyethylene naphthalate. The substrates comprise a polyimide. The polyelectrolyte comprises 5-100 wt.% polymer, 5-95 wt.% plasticizer, and 0.5-10 M redox electrolyte. A polymeric polyelectrolyte (38) is incorporated to the photovoltaic cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The possible materials for the support foil on the rear side of the tape membrane include polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyimide or a comparable polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The fluoropolymer of the outer layer has a melting point above 200degreesC, preferably 250degreesC and especially 280degreesC. A low melting fluoropolymer is also included to form a thermoplastic intermediate layer in direct contact with the solar cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The predetermined metallic salt is mixture selected from lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate, lithium hexafluoro phosphate, lithium hexafluoro arsenate, lithium hexafluoro antimonate, lithium iodide, lithium perchlorate and/or sodium iodide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layer: The foam sealant has film layer of water activation property formed using water-soluble polymer having weight average molecular weight of 50000-200000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ion-exchange: The ion-exchange group is at least one of sulfonic acid, phosphonic acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid and carboxylic acid group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Principal Chain: The principal chain is a polymer, which contains heterocyclic ring-containing nitrogen as main structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer preferably has polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide or poly(ethylene oxide/propylene oxide) structure in the principal chain. The polymer is polyether having acyclic oligoalkylene oxide structure in the side chain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: The monomer having a vinyl group is (meth)acrylonitrile, phenoxy or alkoxy polyalkylene-glycol mono (meth)acrylate of formula (IV) or 1-alkyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl (meth)acrylate of formula (V).R5, R7 = hydrogen atom or methyl group;R6 = phenoxy group substituted by 1-6C alkoxy group or 1-20C alkyl group;w and x = 0-50 such that w+x = 3 or more; andR8 = 1-6C lower alkyl group.The electrolyte salt is a lithium salt and the solvent which dissolves the electrolyte salt is an aprotic organic solvent. The battery is equipped with a positive electrode and a negative electrode with polyelectrolyte. EXAMPLE - A solvent mixture comprising ethylene carbonates (in weight%) (47.6) and propylene carbonates (27.6), and lithium hexafluorophosphate (as electrolyte salt) (10.7) were mixed. Subsequently, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glycol dimethacrylate (having molecular weight of 3136, ethylene oxy group chain length of 27 and propylene oxy group chain length of 31) (5.4), acrylonitrile (2.8), methoxy polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate (having molecular weight of 496 and ethylene oxy group chain length of 9) (5.4) and azobisisobutyronitrile (as initiator) (0.5) were added. The liquid mixture was polymerized in an oil bath at 70-80 degreesC for 1 hour. The obtained polyelectrolyte was produced without liquid spill and was found to have logarithm of ion electric conductivity (Scm-1) of -2.28, -2.14 and -2.01 at 25 degreesC, 40 degreesC and 60 degreesC respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The radical polymerizable group is (meth)acryloyl group. The proton conductive polymer is sulfonated polyarylene which contains an aromatic compound optionally having electron attractive group in the principal chain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The block copolymer has one each of a block having a sulfonic acid group and a block substantially having no sulfonic acid group. At least one block of all the blocks consists of a block having an aromatic ring at its principal chain. The block containing the sulfonic acid group is formed by introducing the sulfonic acid group into the block having a repeating unit of formula (1).X = -O-, -S-, -NH- or direct bond;R1 = 1-6C alkyl, 1-6C alkoxy, or phenyl;a = 0-3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polyalkylene oxide contains a structure of formula (I).A = substituent having anionic site or cationic site;Y = counter ion for A;at least one of A and Y = mesomorphic one.Preferred Products: An electrochemical battery contains the electrolytic composition. A photoelectro-chemical battery has an electrolytic composition-containing charge-transfer layer, a pigment-sensitized semiconductor-containing photosensitive layer, and a counter electrode. An nonaqueous secondary battery contains the electrolytic composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The adhesive layer consists of a composition formed by blending a resin mixture (100 pts wt.), with an isocyanate compound (1-10 pts. wt.). The resin mixture consists of an alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid-modified polyolefinic resin (10-90 wt.%), and an unmodified polyolefinic resin (90-10 wt.%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The channel has a meandering course. Several channels are arranged parallel to each other. The distribution structure has a cooling fluid distribution structure. The channel has a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preparation: The fluoride copolymer is prepared by polymerizing monomer mixture of polyethylene glycol methylether (meth)acrylate (PEG(M)A) and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl(meth)acrylate (TFE(M)A).Preferred Component: The polymer electrolyte further includes lithium salt from lithium chlorate, lithium trifluoromethane sulfite, lithium phosphorus hexafluoride, lithium nitrogen di-(trifluoromethane sulfur dioxide), and/or lithium boron tetrafluoride.Preferred Composition: The lithium salt is 5-50 pbw, based on 100 pbw of the fluoride copolymer. The polymer electrolyte further includes polyethylene glycol dimethylether (10-200 pbw), organic solvent (50-400 pbw), and ceramic filter (10-50 pbw).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organic solvent is from ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, diethoxy ethane, dimethoxy ethane, gamma-butyrolactone, dioxolane, sulfolane, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and/or tetraethylene glycol dimethylether.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The ceramic filter is from silica, alumina, lithium aluminate, and/or zeolite. Preferred Property: The weight average molecular weight of the fluoride copolymer of 15000-1000000. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - 6 Fluoride copolymers are specifically claimed, polyethylene glycol methylether (meth)acrylate (PEG(M)A)-2,2,2-TFEA polymer, PEGMA-TFEA-acrylonitrile (AN) polymer, PEGMA-TFEA-methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymer, PEGMA-TFEA-vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) polymer, PEGMA-TFEA-trimethoxyvinylsilane (TMVS) polymer, or PEGMA-TFEA-ethoxy ethylacrylate (EEA) polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The collector rubbers are made of a material comprising carbon or conductive polymer added to butyl rubber as a conductivity enhancer. The laminate films comprise a laminate comprising polymeric resin, metal and polymeric resin layers in that order. A laminate film is used which is obtained by folding a film comprising polymeric resin, metal and polymeric resin layers in that order which was produced by laminating.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carbonates: The cyclic carbonate is propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate and/or butylene carbonate. The acyclic carbonate is dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate and/or ethyl methyl carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The spinel-type lithium manganate is substituted spinel-type lithium manganate in which one portion of manganese is substituted by magnesium, boron, fluorine, aluminum, cobalt, zirconium, titanium and/or nickel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer obtained by polymerization of the heat polymerizable monomer is polyether type solid polymer, polycarbonate type solid polymer and polyacrylonitrile type solid polymer, or a cross-linked polymer or copolymer containing two or more types of solid polymer. The monomer is propylene glycol diacrylate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The heat-resistant resin layer consists of 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer, copolymer of 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer and 2-20C alpha-olefin (except 4- methyl-1-pentene) such as ethylene, propylene, butene and hexene, and/or resin chosen from alpha-olefin polymer, ethylene and alpha- olefin copolymer, propylene and alpha-olefin copolymer, alpha-olefin polymer graft-modified with unsaturated carboxylic acid and copolymer of alpha-olefin and butadiene rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The film has a multilayer structure comprising a heat-resistant resin layer containing 4-methyl-1- pentene group polymer graft modified by unsaturated carboxylic acid, on the lead wire side. The film is interposed between the laminate and the lead wire component, during sealing of peripheral portion of the packing material. The heat-resistant layer consists of a mixture of 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer graft modified by unsaturated carboxylic acid, is copolymer of 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer, 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer and 2-20C alpha-olefin (except 4- methyl-1-pentene) such as ethylene, propylene, butene and hexane; is a resin for blend selected from alpha-olefin polymer, an ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, copolymer of propylene and alpha- olefin, alpha-olefin polymer graft modified by unsaturated carboxylic acid and copolymer of alpha-olefin and butadiene rubber.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: A long and slender board or lead wire main component consisting of metal rod, is clamped on the sealing portion circumference of a packing material containing a laminate heat-sealing property. A battery main component is accommodated inside the packing material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The heat-resistant resin layer consists of a mixture of 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer, a copolymer of 4-methyl-1-pentene homopolymer and 2-20C alpha-olefin (excluding 4-methyl-1-pentene), such as ethylene, propylene, butene and hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer graft modified by unsaturated carboxylic acid, alpha-olefin polymer, ethylene and alpha- olefin copolymer, propylene and alpha-olefin copolymer, alpha-olefin polymer graft modified by unsaturated carboxylic acid or copolymer of alpha-olefin and butadiene rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The metal catalyst is platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, rhenium or tungsten supported on activated carbon, alumina, silica, zeolite, meso porous material or carbon nano tube.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydride: The hydride is monocyclic aromatic compound such as benzene, toluene, xylene and mesitylene, bicycle aromatic compound such as naphthalene, and methylnaphthalene, tricycle aromatic compound such as anthracene, or aromatic polymer. The organic hydride is hydrogenated mono-, bi- or tri-cyclic aromatic compounds, or hydrogenated aromatic compound. The monocyclic hydrogenated aromatic compound is cyclohexane, methyl- or dimethyl-cyclohexane. The bicyclic hydrogenated aromatic compound is tetralin, decalin or methyldecalin. The tricyclic hydrogenated aromatic compound is tetradecahydroanthracene. The hydride is aromatic siloxane compound, aromatic silane compound containing phenyl, naphthyl or anthracene group or their oligomers such as disilane or trisilane, or its derivative. The aromatic silane derivative is annular cyclohexyl methyl siloxane, triphenyl methyl siloxane, tetraphenyl tetramethyl siloxane or pentaphenyl pentamethyl siloxane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The aromatic compound is aromatic phenylene polymer, polyphenylene dendrimer, polyvinyl naphthalene, polyvinyl anthracene, polystyrene, polyvinyl toluene or polymeric resin material such as rosin. The organic hydride is preferably hexylmethyl siloxane-methyl cyclohexyl silane copolymer. Preferred Film: The electrolyte film is solid polymer electrolyte film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Product Shape: Either moldings or a film. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 3-amino-4-hydroxy-6- sulfobenzoic acid (11.947 g), polyphosphoric acid (PPA) (43.86 g) and P2O5 (15.53 g) was heated in an oil bath at 70 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes, 120 degrees Celsius for 5 hours, 135 degrees Celsius for 8 hours, 165 degrees Celsius 8 hours and at 190 degrees Celsius for 8 hours, giving a brown and spinnable dope. The dope was repeatedly washed with methanol to give a polymer having the following properties: Log viscosity = 2.7 dl/g. Ion conductivity = 1.23 S/cm. Dissolving in DMSO required one night at room temperature. A film of the polymer was transparent, strong, and kept shape when held in a 80 degrees Celsius and 95% relative humidity thermostat. A comparative Naffion 117 (RTM; ion exchange resin) film, gave an ion conductivity of 0.185 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The ion-exchange material is an ion-exchange polymer and is a poly-epichlorohydrin, polystyrene or a derivative, a polysulfone or derivative, a polyethersulfone, a poly(vinylidene fluoride) or a polytetrafluoroethylene grafted with a styrene-sulfonium or styrene-ammonium group.The porous part consists of polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene or poly(vinylidene fluoride).The two parts may be of different materials or of the same material but with different morphology.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte is an alkaline liquid, preferably an aqueous solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: At least one of the insulating layers comprises a liquid crystal polymer or a polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The equilibration layer (c) is an elastic (preferably rubber) plate with free outer edges, preferably formed from a liquid, paste or material flowing under pressure, especially a hardened silicone layer. The conductive layer is a metal (specifically copper or copper alloy) plate, preferably having an electroconductive, corrosion resistant layer (specifically of gold or titanium) on the cell-facing side.The titanium corrosion-resistant layer is especially a titanium foil bonded to the metal plate using a silver-containing (or other electrically conductive) epoxy resin. The end-plate (a) is especially injection molded from plastics, and has at least one cut-out for contacting the metal plate and peripheral anchoring cut-outs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system further includes cathode gas diffusion layer (606). The gas diffusion layer comprises substrate impregnated with material so that contact angle with water of the gas diffusion layer with the material is less than the contact angle with water without the material. The gas diffusion layer comprises carbon cloth. The material is oxide or silica.Preferred Condition: The contact angle is less than 100degrees. The anode gas diffusion layer has a mean pore size less than 20, preferably less than 10 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The fuel cell is a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM). The fuel cell comprises sulfonated fluorocarbon polymer membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The compressor-expander further comprises a housing and a single rotor with sliding vanes (40) in slots defining in cooperation of the housing a compression chamber (50). The bottom of the vane slots in the rotor are vented to the compression chamber. A permanent magnet is positioned in the vane(s), and stationary magnets (82) are positioned in the housing. The integral condenser allows condensed water to drain under the influence of gravity into the path of the vanes at the expander outlet. The integral condenser comprises vertical spout, which has adjustable orientation.Preferred Method: The water is condensed out of the expanded exhaust gas and carried by rotation of the rotor, across into the compressor side of the compressor-expander. A vertical spout is provided for performing the step of condensing water out of the expander exhaust gas. An internal condensing chamber in the path of the expanded exhaust gas for performing the condensing step.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The housing and rotor are made of stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum with anodize coating, aluminum with TEFLON impregnated anodize coating or ceramic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrodes are inorganic oxide compounds, inorganic chalcogenides, carbon or fluorocarbon compounds, and/or polymeric materials. The electrolyte is an ionic salt of aqueous solution, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide), polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, comb-branched systems comprised of low molecular weight polyether chains grafted to polymer backbone, gel electrolyte materials including polymer hosts which have propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dioctyl sebacate, or diethyl phthalate added as plasticizers. The electrolyte comprises polymer, polymer composite, and/or polymer gel or liquid.Preferred Method: The batteries are charged and discharged of voltage using voltage delivered from an atomic force microscope. Pores are created in the membrane by laser ablation or chemical etching.Preferred Materials: The membrane is made of polymeric or ceramic materials.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The inorganic oxide compounds are molybdenum oxide, chromium oxide, vanadium oxides (V2O5 or V6O13), lithium-vanadium oxide (LiV3O8), manganese dioxide, lithium-cobalt oxide, lithium-nickel oxide, lithium-manganese oxide, lithium-vanadium oxide (LiVO2), lithium-chromium oxide, tungsten oxide, or titanium dioxide. Carbon or fluorocarbon compounds are coke, graphite, fluorinated carbon (CFn or (C2F)n)), or C7CoCl2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymeric materials are poly(acetylene), poly(pyrrole), poly(vinyl ferrocene), poly(aniline), poly(p-phenylene), or poly(phenylene sulfide). The polymer is poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide), polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycol, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, comb-branched systems as mentioned above.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The unsaturated compound is present at 1.5-2.5 wt.%. The electrolytic solution can comprise fluorobenzene at 5-15 wt.% of the non-aqueous organic solvent.Preferred Component: The unsaturated compound comprises vinylidene carbonate, vinyl sulfonate, acrylonitrile, or their derivatives. The non-aqueous solvent is a mixture of organic solvents consisting of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, or dimethylethyl carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The preparation of polymer electrolyte further combines 5-15 wt.% propylene carbonate. EXAMPLE - A reagent bottle containing a solid ethylene carbonate was put in an electrical mantle and slowly heated to 70-80 degrees C. It was added with lithium phosphorus hexafluoride (LiPF6) preparing a 1 M LiPF6 solution in a plastic bottle in which the electrolyte was to be stored. Ethylmethyl carbonate (EMC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and fluorobenzene (FB) were added to the bottle and shaken to dissolve the lithium metal salt. The ethylene carbonate, EMC, DMC, and FB were added at a weight ratio of 30:30:30:10. The vinylidene carbonate was added to be 2 wt.% based on the total weight of the product, yielding an organic electrolytic solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A test or power switch is also included. The processor is a circuit board which when powered emits sonic frequencies of 11-12 or an integrated circuit chip that emits sonic frequencies of 36-38 KHz. The device also includes a mounting plate fixedly engaged to the cabinet, a pole (22) removably engaged to the mounting plate, a base (24) removably engaged to the pole, and spikes (28) affixed engage to the base bottom (26). The top includes hook holes for receiving hooks (38).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Surfactant: The fluoro surfactant is an anionic fluorocarbon preferably an anionic fluoro aliphatic alkyl thio carboxylate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The zinc comprises particles of zinc alloyed with indium, lead and aluminum. The metal sheeting is made of a triclad material comprising a stainless steel having a copper layer on the internal surface and a nickel layer on the outer surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The thermoplastic resin powder consists of high pressure process low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene and/or polystyrene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Products: An ion conductor consists of the macromolecular structure and an electrolytic compound. Production: The production of the macromolecular structure comprises: (a) setting a reaction temperature to -70 to 40 degrees C; (b) polymerizing an organic metal, 0.2-12 percent by mass, with a dehydrating condensing agent, 0.5-20 percent by mass. Percent by mass is for the entire percent by mass of a polymerization system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The plastic section is a transparent polycarbonate, and the sections are 50 micrometers to 2mm thick. The connecting polyurethane is preferably an aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane. The connection element is 100 micrometers to 2mm thick. The connection element is applied to the sections by coextrusion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Properties: The average particle size is 20-40 mum for graphite of large particle size and 5-16 mum for graphite of small particle size.Preferred Components: The battery further comprises an outer package body for accommodating the cathode, anode, and non-aqueous electrolyte.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte is a gel including an organic polymer obtained by copolymerizing hexafluoropropylene with polyvinylidene fluoride and a non-aqueous solvent. The outer package body is made of a composite film obtained by bonding a metal foil to a polyolefin film by laminating process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Active Material: The active material is a manganese phosphate containing an amorphous component.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polymer or surfactant may be a polyanionic polymer such as DNA.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The polymer or surfactant may be an anionic organic compound such as sodium dodecyl sulfate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Features: Metal powder content in the rubber is 30-70 wt.%, preferably 40-50 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The illuminator is LED or light bulb. It illuminates at least a portion of the upper surface of the stepping stone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The housing is comprises of material selected from resin, fiberglass, a resin and fiberglass, concrete, acrylics, plastics, aluminum or other metals, stone powder with resin, stone pebbles, slate or tile.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The substrate is a woven or nonwoven polyolefin fabric. The hydrophilic porous film comprises polyolefins, polyamides, or polyesters.Preferred Parameters: The pores of hydrophilic porous film have a diameter of 1-50 (10-30) micrometers. The substrate has a thickness of less than 150 (60-120) micrometers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Solid: The solid is polysaccharide or protein.
EXAMPLE - A compound for urethane resin is developed as a compound having an isocyanate group. The compound includes tolylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and their polymers, or additional masses of a compound having a plurality of hydroxyl groups. Isocyanuric trimer of aliphatic diisocyanate is especially preferable in terms of stability. To effect three-dimensional crosslinking reaction, it is preferable that a compound having at least three isocyanate groups is used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The edge seal extends around the perimeter of the module. It may be in the form of a strip located between the substrates. The photovoltaic element is a thin film cadmium sulfide/cadmium telluride element or a thin film amorphous silicon element. A sealed chamber (13) is defined by the first and second substrates, and the seal. At least one of the substrates is flat glass, and the seal may be a two-component seal having outer and inner components. The first and second substrates are parallel to each other and spaced by 0.1-2 (preferably 0.1-1) inch apart. The module also includes an encapsulant positioned between the substrates, a spacer positioned between the first and second substrates next to or near the seal, and flat electrical connectors (12), preferably metal foil, for connecting the photovoltaic module to a power grid or to a device which utilizes the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module.Preferred Dimension: Each seal in the two-component seal has a width of 0.1-2 inches    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The seal comprises butyl rubber, desiccant and/or a material having an moisture-vapor transmission rate of not more than 5, or silicone, butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, hot melt butyl, curable polyisobutylene and/or polysulfide. The module also includes an encapsulant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The positive external terminal is made of aluminum or alloy of aluminum, and negative external terminal is made of copper, nickel or alloy of copper, nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The cover layers consist of sprayed polyurethane lacquer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers: The plastic foils of the module consist of polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The bath is made of Plexiglas (RTM: poly methylmethacrylate).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The plates are bonded by ultrasound or friction welding.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The bonding plastic is a thermoplastic or an initially non-hardened thermoset.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A fuel processing column is provided for processing a hydrocarbon fuel into the reducing fluid. A water removal burner is secured in heat exchange relationship with a boiler.Preferred Coolant: The antifreeze coolant is selected from an alkanetriol solution and/or polyethylene glycol, preferably glycerol, butanetriol, pentanetriol and/or polyethylene glycol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The closure assembly comprises a low profile closure member (72). The separator includes a first region located beyond the interface of the electrode and below the closure assembly and a second region located between the first and second electrodes. The first region comprises a reinforcing material, while the second region does not comprise the material. The reinforced edge is parallel to the container's sidewall. The separator comprises a flexible porous film of nonwoven fibers with a first and second broad surface. The material coats the fibers in the reinforced edge to prevent absorption of the electrolyte or permeates through the pores of the separator. The separator is a tube with an open end and is formed by coiling the separator. It includes first and second shaped strips of separator material with respective central region and two parallel edges. The reinforcing material covers less than 20, preferably less than 1% of the electrode's interfacial surface area.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The second electrode is a frangible gel comprising an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The reinforced edge comprises a material consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides, paraffin, methylcellulose or chitosan.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metal portion comprises at least one metal selected from iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper, aluminum and lead, preferably at least one selected from chromium, nickel, iron and cobalt. The insulating oxide layer comprises amorphous glass, at least one component selected from silicon, boron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, aluminum, calcium, barium, titanium, yttrium, chromium, nickel and zirconium, and at least one component selected from polyolefin, polyether, polyacetal and polycarbonate.Preferred Solute: The solute comprises alkali metal hydroxide.Preferred Solvent: The solvent comprises water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Apparatus: The hydrogen storage apparatus contains a binder (preferably a fluororesin) which binds the porous carbon material and the hydrogen occlusion alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The high molecular compound is selected from perfluorocarbon, polyamide or polyether sulfone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The porous region runs along the sides of the bipolar plate adjoining the electrode chambers. The inlet and outlet lines are arranged on different sides of the bipolar plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The inventive receiver may also include solar cells that convert the solar energy to electrical energy. The electrically conductive interconnect enables solar cells to be positioned within 50 mum from each other. It is of evaporated metal deposited in a pattern from the top side to the rear side of the solar cell. It may be also a welded metallic element wrapped around from the top side to the rear side of the solar cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The second di-electric sheet is made of a polyimide material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The second di-electric sheet is also made of a ceramic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The top metallic sheet is made of a clad-material and the rear metallic sheet is made of copper. The first and second electrically conductive adhesives are made of a metal loaded adhesive or solder material. The heat sink is made of plated copper or nickel plated aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The carbon dioxide capture material is chosen from an epoxy compound containing ruthenium or its alloy, ammonium salt, metallic salt, metal complex or inorganic metal compound, an amine compound, copper phosphine derivative (CuR'(PH3)2) where R' is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, nickel phosphine (Ni(PH3)), chromium carbonyl complex (Na(CrH(Co)5), K(CrH(Co)5), Li(CrH(Co)5)), calcium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide or strontium hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The activated carbon particles are present at 10-40 wt.%.Preferred Process: The graphite particles and activated carbon are compressed to form a sheet. The process preferably comprises the steps of:(a) providing a flexible graphite sheet;(b) creating indentations in flexible graphite sheet by rolling the sheet with a knurling tool;(c) depositing resin in the indentations;(d) depositing activated carbon particles on the resin; and(e) curing the sheet such that activated carbon particles are bound to the resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The composite material may contain cured phenolic resin to which activated carbon particles adhere.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The proton acid is phosphoric acid, phosphorus acid, sulfuric acid, methane sulfonic acid, trifluoro methane sulfonic acid or p-toluene sulfonic acid.    EXAMPLE - 2,2'-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane (in g) (11.42), refined 2,6-dichloropyridine (7.5), potassium salt of carbonic anhydride (7.5), 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (25 ml) and benzene (20 ml) were mixed under nitrogen atmosphere in a flask. Azeotrope dehydration was performed under recirculation of benzene for 1 hour. Benzene was removed and temperature was raised to 140 degrees C over 2 hours. Subsequently, the temperature was raised to 180 degrees C over 3 hours and reaction was performed at 220 degrees C for 3 hours. Benzene was added during the reaction.    The obtained viscous solution was dissolved in dichloromethane (150 ml). The byproduct was removed by contacting with water (300 ml). Dichloromethane solution was dropped to methanol (800 ml) and resin was precipitated. The resin was washed using water-methanol solution and dried under reduced pressure at 80 degrees C.    The viscosity of the obtained white powder was 1.3 dl/g. The resin had glass transition temperature of 112 degrees C. The resin was pressed at 180 degrees C for 5 minutes to form a film of thickness 50 micrometer. The film was dried after immersing in sulfuric acid solution for 24 hours.    The obtained proton conduction film had acid content of 0.75 equivalents, glass transition of 127 degrees C and ionic conductivity of 2 x 10 to the power of -6 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The oxetane compound preferably has formula (2) or (3).m2 and m3=1-6;n2 and n3=1-20; andR3-R6=1-12C alkyl group.Preferred Process: The ring-opening polymerization is carried out at 30-150 degrees C. The ratio of electrolyte salt with respect to ether chain of oxetane compound is 0.01-0.9. EXAMPLE - 3-ethyl-3-hydroxymethyl oxetane (EHO) was subjected to transesterification with methyl methacrylate (MMA) to form 3-methacryloxymethyl-3-ethyl oxetane (EHO-MMA) polymer. The obtained EHO-MMA polymer (in g) (10) was added to diethylene glycol bis oxetane (DDOE) (10) and 2,2'-azobis isobutyronitrile (1 mol%). The mixture was polymerized at 80 degrees C in nitrogen atmosphere. EHO-MMA polymer solution (I) having number average molecular weight of 31000 and acrylate structure, was obtained. LiN(C2F5SO2)2 was added to solvent mixture comprising propylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate in the weight ratio of 1/2. The formed mixture was added with EHO-MMA polymer solution (I) (3) and compound En3 (9), and stirred to form a homogeneous solution. The compound En3 was oxetane compound of formula (3), where m3= 2, n3= 3, R5= ethyl group and R6= methyl group. The ratio of electrolyte salt to ether chain of oxetane compound was 0.4. The components were reacted at 100 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere for 4 hours to form a polyelectrolyte film having excellent flexibility. The polyelectrolyte film was found to have ionic conductivity of 9.6 x 10-4 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The copolymer consists of formula (1).R1 = F or 1-3C fluoroalkyl;R2 = H or 1-3C alkyl;m = positive integer;n = positive integer.Preferred Products: A fuel cell sandwiches the macromolecular solid oxide film with electrodes. The joiner of the macromolecular solid oxide film and the electrodes is sandwiched with separators.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Donor: The electron donor of the optoelectric-transducer material is a polymer containing porphyrin in a side chain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers : The polyvinylidene fluoride has 0.5 or fewer branching points per 1000 vinylidene fluoride monomer units.Preferred Process : The polymerization of the vinylidene fluoride is conducted in a reaction zone under the critical conditions, practically the absence of water. The polymerization of the vinylidene fluoride is a radical polymerization carried out at 60 degreesC or lower using a peroxide. The peroxide is preferably peroxycarbonate.The polymerization of the vinylidene fluoride is carried out by introducing the vinylidene fluoride as a monomer gas under conditions such that the ratio of the density of the monomer gas to the critical density of the monomer is 1.1 or more in the reaction zone. EXAMPLE - A50 % di-normalpropyl peroxide dicarbonate methano solution diluted in N2 gas was mixed with vinylidene fluoride gas ( monomer gas density = 0.5 g/ml) in an autoclave, and the mixture was subjected to polymerization in the critical state at 40 degreesC under a pressure of 5.72 MPa. After the reaction was completed, the residual monomer gas was released. The solid product was dried under vacuum at 60 degreesC for 15 hours so as to obtain polyvinylidene fluoride having 0.3 branching points per 10000 vinylidene fluoride monomer units and 91.3 head-tail bonds per 100 vinylidene fluoride monomer units.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The aromatic compound is aromatic polymeric compound.The product compounds contain aromatic-sulfonimide bonds, and can be of formula Ar-SO2-NH-SO2-R1 or Ar-SO2-NH-SO2-Ar. Preferred Definitions:    Q = N;    m = 1 or 2;    X = F or Cl;    R1 = highly acidic group from sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid, imide, or methylidynetrissulfonyl groups.    EXAMPLE - (ClSO2)2NH (sic)(1 g) was mixed with 5 g toluene and heated to 100degreesC under nitrogen for 24 hours. The solution was dried to give an oily white solid. The solid was added with 5 ml water and 40 ml lithium hydroxide. The resulting solution was stirred overnight and filtered. Evaporation of the solvent gave a white solid that was stirred overnight with 100 ml toluene and filtered. Evaporation gave 2 g white solid as a mixture of the ortho and para isomers of the lithium salt of the bis aromatic imide of formula (X):
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The method further includes electrostatically charging the belt; providing a vibratory dispensing apparatus; and dispensing the material on the belt with the vibratory dispensing apparatus. The material is preheated during the air removing step. Formation of master element includes milling, etching or engraving a predetermined female pattern on a bronze or copper plate.Preferred Component: The embossing tool includes male patterns on an outer surface and cavities on an inner surface. The leveler includes a rotating brush, a curved blade and an auger. The sifter includes a rotating element having series of scrapper blades for moving the material through the screen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The resin used for fixing the leads is a thermoplastic resin with a lower fusing point than the heat sealing point of the baglike container, preferably the resin is a thermosetting resin with a lower curing temperature than the heat resisting temperatures of all the battery components.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Electrode: The positive electrode plates of the electric power generating element, comprise cobalt, manganese, nickel, chalcogenide and conjugated compounds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: Polybenzoxazole-(a1) or polybenzthiazole-(a2) has formula (1) or (5). Polymer-(b) is 2-vinylpyridine or 4-vinylpyridine (co)polymer, polybenzimidazole, polyquinone, or polyquinoxaline. An electrolyte membrane is made of the new blended polymer electrolyte. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is made of the electrolyte membranes and/or electrode layers.Ar1, Ar3 = formula (2);X1 to X4 = O or S;Y = O, S, C=O, CH2, C(CH3)2, C(CF3), S(=O)2;Ar2 = formula (3);Ar4 = formula (4);n1, n2 = integer of 1-10,000;m1, m2 = integer of 0-10,000;Z = SO3H, PO3H2, or their salts;q = integer of 1-3
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Composition: An electrolyte for a secondary battery consists of an organic compound and an ionic compound. The organic compound contains the polymer of the boric acid ester compound and has a boron concentration of 0.07-1.00.Products: A secondary battery uses the electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The novolac type phenol resin has an O/P ratio of 3 or more. The O/P ratio is the ratio of methylene groups bonded to the ortho-positions (ortho to the phenolic hydroxyl groups) of the aromatic rings contained in one resin molecule to the number of methylene groups bonded to the para-positions. Preferably, the novolac type phenol resin contains an ethylenically unsaturated double bond. The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the novolac type phenol resin or the phenol dicyclopentadiene resin is 200-2,000.Preferred Composition: The ratio of novolac resin or phenol dicyclopentadiene resin to the compound having at least two ethylenically unsaturated double bonds is 70:30 to 40:60. The composition may also contain (D) a curing catalyst.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Crosslinker: The di-unsaturated compound (C) is divinylbenzene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Use: The bipolar plate is used for a fuel cell having an operating temperature during power generation of less than 200 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The positive or negative electrode tab is welded to either of the surfaces of the positive or negative uncoated areas, such that an area where the electrode tab is exposed is formed between the protective tape wrapped around the respective electrode tab and electrode current collector. The short circuit preventing units are respectively adhered to a top surface of an area where the electrode tab is exposed; or is provided in the positive or negative uncoated area formed on the rear surface of the electrode current collectors having the electrode tab.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The short circuit preventing units are insulating tapes made of polymer resin having heat resistance. The polymer is preferably polyester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The inorganic binder is gamma-aluminum oxide, bentonite, kibushi clay, glass fiber or original potter's clay.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Binder: The organic binder is a mixture containing methyl cellulose and glucose.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin is a heat curable resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compositions: The paste composition has at least0.01 wt.% of at least12C saturated fatty acid(s) having isostearic acid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The thermoplastic polymer system comprises a blend of at least2 different 14-20, preferably 16C linear primary alcohols, and cellulose ethers having ethyl cellulose.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The glass particles comprise glass frit(s) having (wt.%) lead oxide (PbO) (60-95, preferably 75-92), silicon oxide (SiO2) (at most30, preferably 10-20), boron oxide (B2O3) (at most15, preferably at most7), aluminum oxide (Al2O3) (at most10, preferably at most5), zirconium oxide (ZrO2) (at most10, preferably at most6), phosphorus pentaoxide (P2O5) (at most5, preferably at most3), and ruthenium oxide (RuO2) (at most5, preferably at most3).Preferred Properties: The conductive particles have bi-modal particle size distribution. Majority of their portions comprise Ag flakes having D50 of less than 5 mum.Preferred Method: The conductor paste is applied by screen printing to the substrate using screen having mesh size of 100-400 mesh.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Property: The channel has depth of 100-480 microns.Preferred Component: The channel is formed on a back surface opposite to the main surface, by press processing.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solar battery sealing film is formed from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred coating material - The waste-heat recovery chamber and exhaust heat exchanger are coated with Teflon (RTM; polytetrafluoroethylene).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The first integrated assembly includes a contamination control system and a sound control system. The contamination control system comprises a particulate and a chemical filter. The second integrated assembly comprises a contamination control system and a water management control system. The fuel cell system further comprises a second air moving equipment and a third integrated assembly positioned downstream from the air moving equipment and upstream from the second air moving equipment. The second integrated assembly is positioned downstream from the second air moving equipment. The temperature control system comprises a heat exchanger which is water cooled. The third integrated assembly comprises a sound control system and a temperature control system.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The particulate and chemical filters comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT the same starting mixture is used for all the layers. Different pressures and temperatures are used in molding the different layers and to adjust their porosity. At least the top layer is oxidized by wet treatment or is made hydrophilic by corona or plasma treatment or by adding silica gel. Channels are formed on the surfaces of the layers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The first and second major surfaces are each defined by a conductive plate, preferably a metal plate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: At least one of the major surfaces comprises copper, nickel plating or graphite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The dielectric is defined by plastic, preferably Mylar (RTM: polyester).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The containment rails comprise fiberglass, polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, vinyl, or composite material. The containment rails are coated with epoxy. The liner material comprises polyvinyl chloride or vinyl. The liner is coated with polyvinylchloride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The cathode is an air cathode, and the anode is formed with a zinc electrode forming a microelectronic zinc/air battery.The cathode includes a first substrate. A first bond pad(s) is provided for connection to an external electrical circuit, and coupled to the cathode. The cathode is formed from a composite device including nickel electrode with carbon black/manganese oxide/polytetrafluoroethylene composite.A gas permeable membrane is formed on the cathode.The anode is formed on a second substrate.A second bond pad(s) is formed on the second substrate and electrically coupled to the zinc electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The first substrate is formed from silicon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The membrane is formed from a carbon black/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite, or from a polymeric fluoroalkylene oxide membrane. The electrolyte tank is formed from polyethylene or PTFE.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The second substrate is glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The non-aqueous electrolyte contains a polymer electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The reinforcement outer casing components comprise fiber-reinforced plastic. Jointing configurations for friction welding on pairs of jointing surfaces, mating annular beads and grooves are formed. Their flank angles and/or lengths differ and/or their widths are differently designed. Jointing surfaces are perpendicular to the axis of rotation and all lie in the same plane. Friction welding couplings transmit friction welding motion from external- to internal casings. These are formed by interlocking geometries close to the jointing surfaces. Casing component configuration Internal and external casings are rotationally-symmetrical, especially tubular- and/or cup-shaped moldings. Internal and external casings are made from the same number of components.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT the hole is a bore or a recess. The plate has a thickness of 0.5 - 10 mm, especially 2 mm or less, in the area of the hole. The hole is made using a microsection tool. The plate is placed between a cutter plate (12) and a mounting (14) and subjected to a pressure of 2 - 20 MPa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The adhesive layer (II) is baking layer or extruded layer of an acid modified polyolefin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The aromatic additive is made of compounds selected from diphenylether, phenylcyclohexane, terphenyl, biphenyl, thiophene, furan, indole, and 3-chlorothiophene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has gas permeate resistivity which conforms to standard JSIP8117-1998.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The polymer electrolyte is produced by applying ring-opening polymerization to the oxetane compound (100 parts by weight) in the non-aqueous solvent (20-800 parts by weight).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The adhesive is an elastic epoxy adhesive agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The organic polymer film layer (11) is polyethylene terephthalate. The transparent adhesive layer (13A, 13B) contains an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The inner surface coating of the pressure vessel consists of polyethylene and/or PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Gasket: The gasket is made of a material selected from polyphenylene sulfide, a liquid crystal polymer, a poly ether ether ketone and a polyether nitrile resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The epoxy resin is a bisphenol-A type liquid epoxy resin and/or a bisphenol-F type liquid epoxy resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The filler is alumina and/or silica. The hardening accelerator is a latency hardening accelerator such as a solid dispersion-type imidazole or an amine adduct. The sealing compound also contains an amino silane coupling agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The insulation member comprises an organic polymer resin such as acrylic type, urethane type, polyimide type, vinyl chloride type, silicone type, fluorine type, polyethylene type, or polypropylene type.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin covered on the photo voltaic cell is selected from group comprising ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, ethylene-methylacrylate copolymer, ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer or polyvinyl butyral resin. The solar cell is fixed using a silicone adhesive with a low heat conductivity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred cathode: The cathode of the cell is made of material selected from silver-vanadium oxide, copper-silver-vanadium oxide, copper-vanadium oxide, manganese dioxide, titanium disulfide, copper oxide, copper sulfide, iron sulfide, iron disulfide, carbon and/or fluorinated carbon.The conductive additive is selected from carbon, graphite powder and/or acetylene black.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The cathode comprises a binder material and conductive additives. The binder material is preferably fluoro resin powder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Surface Texture: The plate is given a fine structure of elevations with height of 1-5 nm and spacing of 5-10 nm.Preferred Texturing Process: The structure is made by pressing, irradiation, etching, plasma coating, plasma etching masking, screen printing or lithography.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrophobic Coating: The coated layer is made hydrophobic using organic silicon compounds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polyazole: This comprises repeat units of formula (I) and/or (II) or repeat units of formula (III).Ar = a tetravalent mono- or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group;Ar1 = a divalent mono- or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group;Ar2 = a trivalent (sic) mono- or polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group;X = O, S or NR;R = H, 1-20C alkyl, 1-20C alkoxy or aryl; andn = 10 or more. EXAMPLE - A membrane (unspecified) washed in boiling water (2 x 1 hour) and dried at 160 degreesC for 3 hours before doping with 85% phosphoric acid for 96 hours had a tensile strength of 1.7 MPa and a breaking elongation of 71%. Without the washing and drying steps, the tensile strength was 1.5 MPa and the breaking elongation was 55%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal structure is made of material from iron, nickel, chrome, silicon, tin, manganese, copper, magnesium, aluminum, and/or other metal materials.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The filler is a conductive or non-conductive polymer, graphite, or other materials capable of preventing leakage of gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The metal structure has an upper portion where the filler is not impregnated, and is capable of wire connecting. Cooling water channel(s) of metal structure cooling plate, extends from a cooling water inlet to a cooling water outlet, to allow cooling water to flow in the cooling plate and to cool heat of the unit cells.Preferred Method: The filler is impregnated into the metal structure through pressing, cutting, or injection molding.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The porous material is a porous perfluoropolymer, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or PTFE copolymer. The inner pore structure is coated at least partly with the perfluorinated polyether phosphate. The carrier material is a composite containing thermoplastics.Preferred Property: The porous material has a porosity of more than 50%, preferably more than 70%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte is potassium hydroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The carrier material is a composite containing nanoscale ceramic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The device is battery from nickel/cadmium high rate, nickel metal hybrid, rechargeable manganese oxide, zinc-manganese oxide, zinc/air, alkaline capacitors, or alkaline fuel cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The protective band comprises outer polymer layer (52) and inner adhesive layer (54). The polymer layer comprises polyamide or polyester. The adhesive layer comprises silicone.Preferred Parameters: The polymer layer has a thickness of 0.0005-0.0015 inches. The adhesive layer has a thickness of 0.001-0.003 inches. Each protective band has a thickness of 0.0015-0.003 inches.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The repeating units of polyamide have formula (II) and/or (III) and are further chosen from repeating units of formula (IV)(eight formula are given for (IV), including the one shown). The polyamide is a copolymer or composite of two or more repeating units. The ionic conductive film comprises 25 mol% of repeating units of polyamide.X, Y = as defined above;D = cyclohexane ring or norbornane ring;x, y and z = 0-4, preferably x and z are 1;x+y = 1-8;Z = same as X and Y, preferably sulfonic acid group; andx+y+z = 1-12. Preferred Definitions:    B = cyclohexane or norbornane ring;    X and Y = sulfonic acid group; and    a = 1.    EXAMPLE - 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid (in g) (51.7) and thionyl chloride (237.9) were refluxed at 85degreesC for 5 hours and distilled to obtain 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid chloride. 2,4-diamino benzene sulfonic acid (5), dimethyl acetamide (90 ml) and lithium chloride (2.4) were mixed, heated and dissolved at 100degreesC in nitrogen atmosphere and cooled at -5degreesC. 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid (5.5) dissolved in 30 ml of dimethyl acetamide was added and reacted overnight at room temperature. The solution mixture was extracted in acetone after the reaction completion, filtered and vacuum-dried. A polyamide containing proton-acid group was obtained as powder. The powder polymer was dissolved in dimethyl acetamide and cast on a glass substrate and dried at 230degreesC. A polyamide film having good flexibility and toughness was obtained and the polyamide film was pliant. The ionic conductivity of the film measured by AC impedance method was 5.1x10-4 S/cm. The glass transition temperature measured at 30-400degreesC at a rate of 10degreesC/min with differential scanning calorimetry was favorable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The contact angle satisfies theta-A = 10-30 degrees and theta-B = 40-60 degrees. The contact angles theta-A and theta-B satisfy theta-B-theta-A at least 15 degrees.Preferred Component: The non-aqueous electrolyte comprises a non-aqueous solvent dissolving a lithium salt.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The binder A is (modified) polyvinylidene fluoride or polytetrafluoroethylene.Preferred Composition: The conductive agent contained in the positive electrode material paste C is 1-3 pbw per 100 pbw of the positive electrode active material. The total amount of binder A and B contained in the positive electrode material paste C is 0.5-2 pbw per 100 pbw of the positive electrode material. The positive electrode material paste C further comprises a particulate binder comprising a crosslinked polymer such that the total amount of binder A, binder B and the particulate binder becomes 0.5-2 pbw per 100 pbw of the positive electrode.Preferred Property: The agglomerated particles have a particle size of less than 10 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The protective cover is a chlorofluoral polymer comprising copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene. The substrate comprises polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The powder is absorbed on a surface by metallic bond. Before the burning step, the hollow particle is expanded by heat-treating the sheet so that the hollow particle achieves a maximum diameter of 100-300 microns. The support is processed foil obtained by forming protrusions on a surface of a metal foil or punched metal sheet obtained by forming through holes in a metal foil, and the metal foil is nickel foil formed by electroplating or metal foil whose surface is coated with nickel.Preferred Components: The slurry contains stearic acid and the powder is adsorbed on the surface of the hollow particle via the stearic acid. The slurry contains a thickener.Preferred Parameters: The hollow particle has initial diameter of 10-40 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The thickener contains cellulose, cellulose derivative or polyvinyl alcohol. The hollow particle contains polymer formed by polymerizing a monomer containing methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile and vinylidene chloride, and isobutane, isopentane, or isooctane sealed in the hollow particle.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The powder contains metallic nickel or nickel compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Binder: The binder comprises polyolefin polymer, isoprene polymer, butadiene polymer, polyaniline sulfonic acid polymer, cellulose type polymer, fluorine type polymer, conductive polymer and other polymer.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - R1 is methane, ethane or propane group. R2 is O. R3 is O.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Assembly: The unit cells are supported on the supporter via tabs. The supporter is filled with resin groups. A space within the supporter other than the unit cells is occupied by the resin groups within 95-100 vol.%.Preferred Property: Hardness JISA (sic) of each of the resin is within 5-95. The dielectric loss tangent of each of the resin within 10-1 kHz ranges is 1.0x10-3-5.0x10-1 at -30 to 80degreesC.Preferred Material: Each of the unit cells is a lithium ion secondary cell using lithium manganate as a cathode active material and carbon as an anode active material. Each of the unit cells is a bipolar lithium ion secondary cell having bipolar electrodes laminated in series with a solid polymer electrolyte. Each of the bipolar electrodes includes a cathode formed on one surface of a collector and an anode formed on the other surface.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin group is a group of a single resin or resin consisting of epoxy resin, urethane resin, nylon resin and/or olefin resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The holes (10) have a truncated cone or truncated pyramid shape and are produced by etching or laser ablation. The support is made of silicon, graphite or a ceramic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The support can be made of a polymeric material. The base units are simultaneously sealed, planarized and assembled together with an epoxy, polyimide, silicone or acrylic adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Properties: The bubble barrier zone has a pore size of less than 5 microns, and a thickness of 0.010-0.025 cm. The water permeability zone has a pore size of 10-20 microns, and a thickness of 0.075-0.2 cm.Preferred Components: The bubble barrier zone is secured between first and second water permeability zone portions of the water permeability zone. It completely overlies a perimeter edge defined by the plate to form an edge seal of the plate. It is a freeze reduction bubble barrier zone having a pore size of less than 10 nm, and having a thickness that is less than 5% of the shortest distance between opposed contact surfaces defined by the plate.The bi-zone water transport plate is in fluid communication with a coolant loop that directs a coolant liquid adjacent the plate and the coolant loop includes a vacuum pump that selectively applies a vacuum force through the coolant loop to the bi-zone water transport plate that is greater than a capillary force of pores within the water permeability zone and that is less than a capillary force of the pores within the freeze reduction bubble barrier zone, so that the vacuum pump removes coolant liquid from the water permeability zone, but do es not remove coolant liquid from the freeze reduction bubble barrier zone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The bubble barrier zone is a carbon polymer mixture bubble barrier zone having a bubble pressure greater than 2 psi. The polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluorosulfonic acid, phenolic, epoxy, polysulfone, or polyvinylidine fluoride. The freeze reduction bubble barrier zone consists of a porous plastic layer, which is perfluorosulfonic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The negative plate comprises a macroporous additive particle with a reduced affinity for bonding with the negative active material for promoting electrolyte diffusion to the expander component and the macroporous organic polymers particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The macroporous organic polymer particles have aliphatic amine and acid functional groups.Preferred Condition: The functionality is metal impurity complexing.Preferred Material: The macroporous organic polymer particles are cross-linked polystyrene. The cross-linking is by divinylbenzene. The organic expander is lignin sulfonic acid, and/or lignin sulfonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal impurity is silver, iron, nickel, cobalt, or preferably antimony.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The aliphatic amine functional groups are from secondary amine, and/or tertiary amine. EXAMPLE - Negative paste batches were prepared by mixing (wt.%) dry leady oxide basis: a dry barton mill leady oxide (2), pasting fibers, an expander comprising an organic expander (weight ratio of 1.2 wt.% lignosulfate), barium sulfate (0.4) and carbon black (0.4), and an organic polymer (2) having phosphonic functionality, for approximately 5 minutes. Water was added to make the paste precursor. Pasting acid was added. The paste batch was mixed for an additional period of time to allow the temperature to be reduced to 110degreesF. Pastes were applied to negative grids. The plates were cured, and positive and negative plates and separator were assembled into 2-volt cells, to obtain improvement in capacity maintenance.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The first polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene, and the second polymer is polyethylene. The donor is a fluorine atom on a first polymer chain, and the acceptor is a fluorine atom on an adjacent first polymer chain. The first and second polymers are combined chemically as their monomers to a copolymer chain. The weight ratio of the second monomer to the first monomer is 3-20. The first polymer chain is short and intermixed and aligned in a matrix of the long chains of the second polymer so the mean free path of an electron between the donor and the acceptor on an adjacent polymer chain is 5-20 (5-30) Angstrom. Optionally, only the first polymer can be present with rigid crosslinked pillar groups orthogonal to and separating adjacent polymer chains to a distance of 5-30 Angstrom, the space between being otherwise empty.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The sheet is 300-10000 Angstrom thick, and the energy storage per unit weight is 1-5 KWhrs/kg. The donors comprises elements or groups in table IV, and the acceptor comprises elements or groups in table (III). The sheet is connected to a direct current (DC)-alternating current (AC) inverter and a load, where the high DC electric power output is converted to low voltage AC electric power and supplied to the load. The sheet comprises a photovoltaic sheet for the conversion of solar energy to electric energy. TABLES III AND IV, PAGE 13
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Fuel cell sheet - The sheet to which edge sealant is applied is a membrane electrode (MEA) or an ion exchange membrane (PEM) of a fuel cell. It is a fabric, fleece or film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sealant: The sealant is an elastomer. It is preferably a thermoplastic polymer (TPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), fluorinated rubber (FPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) or silicon rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The cover layer on the solar module consists of polyurethane, polyester or another transparent plastic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The reservoir structure (54) has a longest dimension and the free rise wick height of the reservoir structure is greater than at least one half of the longest dimension. The system further comprises a pump with outlet passageway to pump liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet passageway, and air inlet (44) through the container. The inlet has a one-way valve to permit gas flow into the volume of the container. The reservoir structure conforms in shape to the volume within the container. The container forms a cylindrical cartridge. It has flexible sidewalls, and envelope (40) formed from sheets of plastic film or plastic-coated film. It is flexibly bendable when filled with liquid fuel, and the reservoir structure into which the liquid fuel has wicked remains within the volume of the container. The system further includes a removable tape that covers the outlet passageway when the container is shipped or stored prior to use. The reservoir structure has a gradient capillarity. It is formed as a composite of components. At least two of such components have different capillarities.Preferred Parameters: The reservoir structure comprises polyurethane foam with a density of 0.5-25 lbs/ft and pore sizes of 10-200 pores/linear inch. It is formed of felted reticulated polyurethane foam with 2-45 lbs/ft3 and compression ratio of 1.1-30.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The reservoir structure is formed from a material is foam, bundled fiber and nonwoven fiber. The material can be polyurethane foam, felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam, felted reticulated polyurethane foam, melamine foam, non-woven felt or bundles of nylon, polypropylene, polyester, cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene and/or polyacrylonitrile.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The element is a pipe, multilayer pipe, reservoir vessel, connector, adapter, filter or pump or valve part.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polyester molding composition is based on polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene 2,6-naphthalate, polypropylene 2,6-naphthalate, polybutylene 2,6-naphthalate, poly(1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane terephthalate) and poly(1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane 2,6-naphthalate). It preferably has an antistatic finish.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: At least one of the outer film and the carrier film is made of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, or polyester.Preferred Components: The outer film has balanced oriented shrinkage properties. The carrier film has mono-axially oriented shrinkage properties. The outer film and the carrier film include a coextruded film composite comprising two distinct film layers. The label includes a layer of thermochromic material.Preferred Properties: The length dimension of the outer film or carrier film exceeds the circumference of the battery by an amount at least equal to the width of a conductive layer, which is in thermal contact with the thermochromic layer. The outer film has a thickness of 10-25 microns. The carrier film has a thickness of 25-50 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The sidewall comprises a cast concrete wall. The thermal exchange fluid conduit comprises polyvinylchloride tubing embedded in the sidewall in a spiral configuration at the time the sidewall is cast. The sidewall comprises a contiguous cylindrical wall, or four walls in two parallel pairs of sidewalls. A second thermal exchange fluid conduit is embedded in the top of the tank. A thermal exchange fluid pump (14) is connected to circulate thermal exchange fluid through a return conduit (22), the second thermal exchange fluid conduit in the second tank, then through the first thermal exchange fluid conduit in the first tank, through a supply conduit (16) and thermal exchanger, and through thermal output zone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thermal exchange fluid conduit comprises polyvinylchloride tubing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The liquid sealant is applied to outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), in vicinity of a communication-hole that penetrates through the separator, and an outer periphery of a cooling medium passage of the separators. It may be applied to groove portions (28, 30) formed on the separators. The liquid sealant is circular.Preferred Method: The method also involves stacking a predetermined number of fuel cell units between a pair of end plates; and applying a compression load in a direction reducing the distance between the end plates to produce a fuel cell stack.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The liquid sealant is made of a thermosetting type fluoride material or thermosetting type silicone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The center section can be of titanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The cooling device includes a fuel cell, especially a fuel cell with polymer/electrolyte membranes. The cooling fluid is a mixture of water and an alcohol, preferably a glycol, of electrical conductivity less than 5 microS/cm. The polyarylene sulfide is poly-(p-phenylene sulfide). EXAMPLE - FORTRON(RTM)(non-reinforced poly-(p-phenylene sulfide) granulate (50 g) was stored in cooling fluid (water glycol ratio 1:1) at 80degreesC. The initial conductivity of the fluid was 0.16 and after 168 hours of storage 1.14 microS/cm/
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: (A) is a structure of formula (I)X = -O- bond or a OH group which participates in crosslinking;R1 = 1-50C atomic chain group;R2 = methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl group;m, n = 0, 1 or 2.Specifically, R1 = -(CH2)n- where n = an integer 1-30. A is a structure of formula (IV). R1 = a siloxane of formula -(-SiR5R6-O-)n- (V) where R5-6 = methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl. (B) is a structure of formula (II) where R3 = a molecular chain group having at least1 acidic group e.g. sulfonic acid group, R4 = methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl. Glass fibers are combined in the proton-conductive film. EXAMPLE - 1,8-Bis(triethoxysilyl) octane (0.9g) are dissolved in isopropanol (1.5g) and isopropanol (1.5g) is added to a 33% aqueous solution of 3-(trihydroxysilyl) propane sulfonic acid. These are combined and mixed for several minutes, then added to a polystyrene plate. It is heated for 15 hours at 20degreesC then 10 hours at 80degreesC under a saturated water vapor atmosphere. It is then heated in a 100degreesC oven to produce a film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The end plates comprise an injection molded body made of the resin-dominant material. The resin-dominant material of the end plates contains a reinforcing material. The end plates have a reinforcing member provided on its outer main surface.Preferred Parameter: The tightening pressure by the tightening mechanism is 1.5-5 kgf/cm2 per unit area.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin-dominant material comprises polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystal polymer or polysulfone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: The solar cells are sealed individually one by one or by a unit of solar cell group including several solar cells, in the weather-resistant sealing process. The solar cells are integrally sealed. The solar cells are attached to a surface facing the inner space of the sheet glass on sunlight receiving or sunlight non-receiving side of the double glazing glass. The solar cells are attached to one sheet glass of the double glazing glass with a fixing filler interposed. The sheet glass on the sunlight non-receiving side of the double glazing glass is a net-embedded glass (22). The spacer has a conductive portion to which power output from the solar cells is supplied. A power output portion capable of externally outputting power of the solar cells is connected to the conductive portion. A sealing component (3) is provided between the power output portion and each sheet glass. An air-tight and waterproof seal is provided around a peripheral portion of each sheet glass, between each sheet glass and the spacer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: A transparent filler (4) which is a transparent resin of ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl butyral, is used in the sealing process. A polyethylene terephthalate or fluorine-based resin film, is used as a weather-resistant and transparent film (5) in the sealing process. The fixing filler is a transparent adhesive tape or a transparent resin containing ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl butyral.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layer: The moisture-proof layer is made of a metal or an inorganic oxide, preferably aluminum, galvanized steel, silica, titania or zirconia.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layer: The moisture-proof layer provides a polyphenylene sulfide layer adjacent to the polymer layer (3) and polyethylene terephthalate layers (5a,5c) on both surfaces. An ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer layer is provided between the moisture-proof and gas-proof layer, to adhere the moisture-proof and gas-proof layers.Preferred Module: Alternately the photovoltaic module comprises a light transmissive electrode layer (I), a photoelectric conversion layer, an electrode layer (II), a sealing polymer layer and a weatherproof film provided sequentially on the light-transmissive substrate. EXAMPLE - An ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (EVA) layer of 0.6 mm thickness was provided on a white tempered glass of 3.2 mm thickness, as a sealing polymer layer (I). Photovoltaic cells made of crystalline silicon and connected in series were mounted on the polymer layer. EVA of 0.4 mm thickness and a weatherproof film were sequentially stacked on the photovoltaic cells. The weatherproof film contained sequentially dry-laminated a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film of 50 mum thickness, a thin aluminum film of 7 mum thickness, a PET film of 50 mum thickness and a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) film of 50 mum thickness. A cross-linking reaction was performed in the EVA layers and integration was completed. The photovoltaic module obtained prevented electrolytic corrosion, even when installed in a salt area. The PPS film protected PET film from poisonous gases, such as hydrogen sulfide gas, chlorine gas, methyl mercaptan, methyl sulfide and ammonia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The wicking material is foam, bundled fiber or non-woven fabric fiber, preferably polyurethane foam, felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam, felted reticulated polyurethane foam, melamine foam, non-woven felt, bundles of nylon, polypropylene, polyester, cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene and/or polyacrylonitrile.Preferred Components: The sheet has hole(s) in thickness direction formed by perforating the sheet, and channels (28,40) formed by cutting, scribing, thermoforming or convoluting. The reservoir structure further includes a conductive layer attached or crimped to the surface of the sheet. The conductive layer is metal screen, metal wool or expanded metal foil and is a conductive coating of metals, carbon and carbon-containing materials, conductive polymers or their suspensions coated on the surface of sheet. The sheet has component (A) having high capillarity than component (B), and has gradient capillarity. The conductive layer is in communication with current circuit (44).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The cell further contains an electrolyte disposed within the soft pocket chamber. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution containing potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or sodium chloride, preferably potassium hydroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The semi-permeable membrane is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. The soft pocket is made of neoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene copolymer or chlorosulfonated polyethylene. The soft pocket comprises a molded integral piece M-shaped in cross section.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: The closing mechanism comprises bolt(s) and nut(s). The metal anode is wholly disposed within the chamber and comprises a base portion and a tab portion. The base portion is disposed without an enclosure separator bag and is trapezoidal in shape. The gas cathodes (I,II) are air cathodes (I,II), respectively. The metal anode is retained firmly within the pocket by elastic elements when the structures (I,II) are in the position (I). The elastic elements are disposed within the structure (II).Preferred Material: The sheets (I,II) are permanently installed at 0.3-0.5 mm, respectively from the cathodes (I,II) in the cell. The sheets are protected by alkaline-resist protective meshes, which are 40-300 mesh, preferably 80-100 mesh. The battery comprises several cells which are electrically connected in series. The peripheries of the walls (I,II) are attached to the structures (I,II), respectively without using glue.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal anode comprises an electrically conductive support structure (56) to which a metal anode material, preferably zinc, is attached.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: Compound (I) has a mean molecular weight of 110 or more.Preferred Process: The process for producing the boric ester comprises esterification followed by distillation of the boron-containing compound and the alcohols generated in the reaction, which are of formula ROH ( R = 1-4C alkyl).In the process, the ratio of the moles of compound (I) to the boron-containing compound (II) is 1:1/3 or greater. The produced boric ester contains 1000 ppm or less of water (measured by the Curl-Fisher titration method).Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte contains a boric ester compound of formula (IV) or its polymer.B-(O(AO)p-Y)3 (IV)Y = acryloyl, methacryloyl or a 1-4C alkyl group, and at least one Y is (meth)acryloyl;AO = 2-4C oxyalkylene;p = 1-600. EXAMPLE - A polymerizable boric ester compound (625 g) was obtained by reacting Prenmer PE-350 (RTM: polyethyleneglycol(350) monomethacrylate) (550 g) with boric trimethyl (51.9 g) at 60 degrees C for 1 hour, and at 75 degrees C under a pressure of 2.67 kPa for 3 hours while removing the generated volatile components. The obtained polymerizable boric ester (5.00 g) was mixed with Prenmer PME-4000 (RTM: polyethyleneglycol(4000) monomethacrylate) (5 g). Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) (1.91 g) was added to the mixture and dissolved. Azobisisobutyronitrile (30 mg) was added to the solution and dissolved. The solution was coated on a silicon wafer by a spin coater and dried at 80 degrees C for 2 hours to obtain an ionic conductive polymer composition 100 microns thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The rotary brush is rotated along the movement direction of paper. Several divided bristles are provided in the rotary brush. The phase change composition comprises mixture of polymeric materials having melting point 80-130 degrees C or less than 15 degrees C and lubricant.In crystalline form, the phase composition has the static coefficient of friction is less than 0.62 or less than 0.50. The depositing amount of phase change composition onto the front side of paper is 0.70-7.0 mg/sheet of paper. The phase change composition is deposited onto the brush over a selected portion.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The bristles are made of nylon, polypropylene, conductive acrylic, conductive nylon and high density polypropylene. The phase change composition comprises mixture of waxes, polyethylene, polyalphaolefin and polyolefin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Lubricant: The lubricant is selected from group consisting of erucamide, stearyl stearamide, lithium stearate, zinc stearate and organic stearates.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The support assembly and the cover constitute a continuous, unitary member. The main member is a thermal insulator, and the cover comprises a low-emissivity layer. Adjacent PV assemblies are inter engaged so wind uplift forces on one of the assemblies tend to transfer to adjacent PV assemblies to help counteract the wind uplift forces.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal cover comprises a galvanized steel, zinc-alum or aluminum coated metal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The metal cover may comprise polyvinylidene fluoride resin-coated metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The organic compound different from the resin material, is a thermoplastic resin. The resin material is a thermosetting resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: Layers (A) and (C) each consist of a plate or one or more films; (A) may also consist of strips of film or plate arranged over embedded solar cell strings. These strings comprise solar cells connected together in series by soldering or with a conductive adhesive (preferably applied as a bead directly to the inside of layer (B) so that it comes into direct contact with the contacts on the solar cells). A sheet of glass with a thickness of less than 500 microns may also be present in layer (B) between layer (A) and the solar cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: A combination of cover sheet (A) and adhesive plastic film (B), a solar cell string and a combination of backing sheet and adhesive plastic film is pressed and bonded in a roller laminator to form the module. EXAMPLE - Composite film was obtained by coextrusion of Texin DP7-3007 (RTM) (Shore D hardness = 58) with Makrofol DE 1-1 (RTM) film (375 microns) on an extruder connected to a roll-mill with a chill-roll, using a die temperature of 180 degrees C, a material temperature of 186 degrees C, a pre-die pressure of 75 bar, a screw speed of 80 r.p.m., roller temperatures of 20 degrees C (casting roll) and 10 degrees C (chill roll), and a draw speed of 3 m/min. A laminate with solar cell strings between two layers of the composite film (with Texin (RTM) on the inside of each layer) was then produced on a roller laminator at 0.3 m/min and 160 degrees C. A 15 x 15 cm module was produced in 30 seconds by this method.    The solar module obtained showed an efficiency of 13.8 (13.2) % as made and 13.7 (13.3) % after accelerated weathering (IEC 6 12 15; 50 x 6-hour cycles from -40 to +85 degrees C). Values in brackets are for a similar module with ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as the adhesive film; in this case the production time (vacuum laminator) was 20 minutes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The melanin-like material is an oligomer or biopolymer derived from eumelanin, sepiamelanin, neuromelanin, phaomelanin, or allomelanin, or a polymer or heteropolymer of an indolequinone, tyrosine, dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dihydroxyphenylalanine quinone, catechol, catecholamine, or cyteinyldopa. The melanin-like material is doped with a chelatable transition metal ion up to a level of 20% by molecular weight.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The indolequinone comprises dihydroxyindole, dihydroxyindole carboxylic acid, quinone, semiquinone or hydroquinone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The photoactive element comprises a mechanically stable and flexible film having a thickness of a single molecular layer of 1 mm. The element is a photoanode comprising an electrically conducting substrate coated with the melanin-like material. The photoanode is a colloid. The electrically conducting substrate comprises a wide band gap rare earth oxide, a metal, a crystalline semiconductor, an amorphous semiconductor, a conducting polymer, a semiconducting polymer, or an organic material. The electrically conducting substrate is an n-type semiconductor. The melanin-like material is p-doped.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The non-metallic, electrically conductive elastomer comprises an elastomer, preferably silicone, and a non-metallic electrical conductor, preferably carbon or a conductive polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A sound attenuator is provided upstream of an air supply duct with respect to the direction of the intake air flow (18).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sound insulation comprises an open-celled foam material (32). It comprises polyurethane foam.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The sound insulation comprises braided metal or a random metal structure comprising metal ribbons.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The conductive compound is metal nitride or a diamond like carbon having metal dispersed therein.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The beta-aminoenone is added to the electrolyte in 0.1-5 (preferably 0.2-4) vol.% based on the volume of the organic solvent.Preferred Component: A cyclic ether, preferably 1,3-dioxolane, is added to the electrolyte.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The cathode comprises iron sulfides, carbon fluorides, vanadium pentoxide, tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, lead oxides, cobalt oxide, manganese oxides, indium sulfide, nickel silicide, silver chromate, silver phosphate, lithium cobaltate, lithium permanganate, bismuth oxide, copper oxides or copper sulfate. It comprises iron sulfide.The anode comprises lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, carbon, or their alloys. Preferably, the cathode comprises iron sulfide and the anode comprises a lithium and aluminum alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: A polyether is also added to the electrolyte. It can be 1,2-dimethoxyethane. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The beta-aminoenone is 4-amino-3-pentene-3-one.    EXAMPLE - An electrolyte reaction medium with the lithium, separator material, and cathode stock was examined. It was prepared from 23.42% 1,3-dioxolane, 76.14% dimethoxyethane, and 0.44% 3,5-dimethylisoxazole (DMI).    The results showed that the cell had 30 mV lower open circuit voltage than the cell without DMI.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A fourth region is encapsulated by an electrical insulating material. A tang (26) protrudes from the third region in the direction of the lengthwise axis. First and second locating holes are also included. The apertures further comprises L-shaped and I-shaped apertures in a repetitive pattern. They extend the length of the terminal (24).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The insulating material is polyester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Lithium metal is oxidized to Li2O and/or Li2CO3 so oxygen and/or CO2 is generated by electrode oxidation and oxygen and/or CO2 is generated in a small amount at the negative electrode. Li2O and/or Li2CO3 are reduced to metal lithium and/or lithium ions at the negative electrode. When charging at a current degree of at most10.00C w.r.t. of the theoretical capacity of the positive electrode at 25degreesC, no deterioration of positive electrode and negative electrode occurs at a charge degree L% given by charge degree L% = 5 x (charge current degree C)-0.5 x 100. The electrode oxidation is performed at 1.40-1.60V based on a reference electrode AlOx.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The organic solvent is ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, vinylene carbonate and/or diethyl carbonate. The substance which is oxidized at the positive electrode is R-CO-R, R-CO-OR, R-CO-NR'R, RO-CO-X-CO-OR and/or RR'N-CO-NR'RwhereR = optionally substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group;R' = H or optionally substituted monovalent hydrocarbon group;X = divalent organic group.The non-aqueous electrolyte comprises a polymer gel electrolyte. The separator has a porosity of at least40% and contains at least1 of cellulose, polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester. EXAMPLE - The positive electrode is produced from LiCoO2, Ketchen black conductive material, polyvinylidene fluoride and a polyurethane in a weight ratio of 100:4.35:13.2:2.72. A negative electrode is produced from MCMB as negative electrode active material and polyvinylidene fluoride in a weight ratio of 100:8.70. A cellulose separator is used to separate the electrodes. The electrolyte is obtained by forming a 1M solution of LiPF6 in a solvent comprising ethylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, propylene carbonate and vinylene carbonate in a weight ratio of 100:115.9:26.15:2.479. A polyvinyl alcohol derivative is added.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The battery is a primary battery. The redox pair provides an open circuit voltage of at least 2.3 Volt per cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The gelled acid electrolyte comprises a sulfonic acid group which is covalently bound to a linear alkyl or a branched alkyl, and the linear alkyl or branched alkyl may further be substituted with a substituent. The sulfonic acid group is covalently bound to a polymer or to the linear alkyl or branched alkyl.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The lanthanide is cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, terbium, or dysprosium. It can be samarium, europium, thulium, or ytterbium. The gelled acid electrolyte further comprises indium. The second element comprise zinc.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The gelled electrolyte comprise an organic polymer including carboxymethylcellulose, a polyacrylic acid, a poly(acrylonitrile), or a poly(vinylidene fluoride).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer is a chlorine containing polymer, preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC), especially suspension PVC or emulsion PVC. The modified polymeric material comprises chlorinated-PVC (C-PVC) containing 60-72 wt.% of chlorine. The electrolyte comprises 10-40 wt.% of C-PVC. The cathode comprises an organic polymer chosen from polyviologen, polyacetylene and polypyrrole.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The alkali metal salt is lithium perchlorate, lithium borofluorate, lithium arsenic fluoride, lithium hexafluorophosphate, lithium trifluoromethyl sulfonate and a lithium compound (LiN(CF3SO2)2). The electrolyte comprises 3-20 wt.% of the alkali metal salt. The anode comprises a lithium alloy like lithium-aluminum, lithium-aluminum-silicon, lithium-aluminum-cadmium, lithium- aluminum-bismuth and lithium-aluminum-tin. The cathode comprises a metal oxide like lithium-transition metal oxide e.g. manganese oxide, lithium manganate and vanadium oxides. The cathode comprises a sulfur-containing material like titanium sulfide, sulfur, polysulfide and polythiophene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The aprotic solvent is chosen from propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, 1,3-dioxolane and dimethoxyethane. The electrolyte comprises 40-82 wt.% of the solvent.Preferred Process: Halogenation involves chlorination, where PVC is chlorinated by homogeneous or heterogeneous chlorination. The blending step includes addition of a volatile solvent or removal of the volatile solvent. The removing step involves vacuum processing at room temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The semiconductor crystal substrate is between a surface cover having a curved surface structure and a back cover (12). It is fixedly held in the bent state in a transparent resin (16). Semiconductor crystal substrates are fixed to the support body, and the semiconductor crystal substrates are electrically interconnected by wires (14).Preferred Properties: The semiconductor crystal substrate has a thickness of 150 mum or less.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The semiconductor crystal substrate comprises a monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The transparent resin comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Electrodes: The positive electrode comprises material selected from oxygen, magnesium, nickel, manganese, copper, cobalt, silver, lithium and their oxides or hydroxides. The negative electrode comprises material selected from cadmium, iron, zinc, silver, lithium, carbon containing lithium, hydrogen and their mixtures or hydrides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte cell has positive and negative collector layers and separator layers maintained in the cup. The boundary between the first and second components is horizontally maintained. The lead terminals extend to each other. The battery may be piled to another similar battery to form a power supply unit such that the lead terminals opposite in polarity are overlapped with one another. It may include a third component made from an expandable film and correspond to the second component. The third component has a peripheral portion capable of bulging it in a space around the contact area between the first and third component. A spacer is inserted between the first and third components. The battery may have a deformable portion that is expandable in a certain direction. The deformable portion is retracted when vacuum was developed in the space. The development of vacuum is carried out after the cup portion is formed in the film package. The film package is separated into two sheets of film or sheet of foldable film. The deformable portion or cup portion is formed by deep drawing. The coil-like shape electrolyte cell has adhering plates and retainer for keeping the plates held in tight contact with one another. The retainer includes adhesive tape. The first metallic component is coated with a resin layer while the second component includes a sealant layer for sealing the electrolyte cell to the package.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The resin layer is made of metal adhesive compound consisting of copolymerized polyester resin containing ethylene terephthalate as a structural unit. The sealant contains aromatic polyester resin and gas barrier resin. The gas barrier resin is aromatic polyamide, preferably polyamide containing xylene or xylylene group. The aromatic polyester resin is polyalkylene terephthalate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The system also includes a solar-collector base (1) made from aluminum sheets (3) that houses a synthetic material sheet (2). The base is sealable to the top sheet or casing to create a hermetical chamber that allows for free water circulation on its surface area at different pressures. The casing is press-joined with the base to allow a water-tight compartment of uniform flow, while eliminating the need for piping.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The use amount of the hydrated iron oxide particles and/or iron oxide particles is 0.01-50 weight % based on the waste containing resin. The specific surface area of hydrated iron oxide particles and/or iron oxide particles is at least 5 m2/g. The reaction temperature is 300-2000 degrees C and the reaction pressure is 0.001-1000 atmospheres. The hydrated iron oxide is goethite (alpha-FeOOH), lepidocrosite (gamma-FeOOH) and/or delta-FeOOH, and the iron oxide is hematite (alpha-Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3), an iron oxide in an oxidation state between hematite and magnetite, and/or an iron oxide in an oxidation state between maghemite and magnetite. A dispersant can be coated on the iron oxides in an amount of 0.1-500 weight % based on the iron oxide. EXAMPLE - A sample (3.8 weight parts) where goethite particles (30 weight parts) are dispersed in polyethylene (70 weight parts), and water (6.5 weight parts) are introduced into a Pyrex glass tube, and reduced to a vacuum and sealed. This is introduced into a stainless steel tube and introduced into an electric furnace at 600 degrees C for 20 minutes. After cooling, the gas component of the tube is analyzed and hydrogen is 27 volume parts, methane is 13 volume parts, and ethylene is 6 volume parts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: A process is included for forming the positive electrode and/or negative electrode including a polymer electrolyte by impregnating the precursor solution in the positive electrode and/or negative electrode and irradiating UV light. The ratio of polymerizable monomer to the mixture of lithium salt and organic solvent is 30:70 to 2:98. The monomer is of formula (I).R1 = H or methyl group; andA1-3 = a divalent group derived from at least 3 ethylene oxide (EO) units or ethylene oxide units and propylene oxide (PO) units where the number of EO and PO is 0-5.The photopolymerization initiator is a phosphine oxide initiator such as 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenyl phosphine oxide, bis(2,6-dimethoxy-benzoyl)-2,4,4-trimethyl-pentyl phosphine oxide and/or bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenyl phosphine oxide. EXAMPLE - A polymer electrolyte layer is formed by forming a solution containing 3000ppm of 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenyl phosphine oxide initiator in a mixture of an electrolyte containing LiBF4 in ethylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone and the triacrylate monomer (I), applying to nonwoven cloth and irradiating UV light for 10 seconds of 200mW/cm2. The positive electrode is formed from LiCoO2, polyvinylidene fluoride as binder and acetylene black. The negative electrode is formed from graphite powder with polyvinylidene fluoride as the binder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer has a molecular weight of 200-1 million and comprises alternating oxygen and nitrogen atoms, oxygen and sulfur atoms, sulfur and nitrogen atoms, oxygen atom and oxyphosphorus groups, oxygen atoms and oxy silicon groups or alternating nitrogen atoms and oxyphosphorus groups which are linked by saturated alkyl or fluoroalkyl carbon spacers. The nitrogen and phosphorus atoms are fully or partially substituted with alkyl or fluoroalkyl tertiary substituents. The spacers are two to four carbon in length and contains alkyl or fluoroalkyl branches and side chain substituents.Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte salt is an alkali metal salt, a quaternary ammonium salt, a quaternary phosphonium salt, a sulfonylimide and/or a sulfonylmethide in a range of weight ratio. The polymer electrolyte is cast as a film. EXAMPLE - Stoichiometric quantities of ethylphosphite and ethylene glycol were added to anhydrous methylene chloride with Nafion 117 pellets as an acid catalyst. The resulting mixture was heated to 60 degrees C and refluxed under dry argon gas for 10 hours to effect polymerization. After refluxing, methylene chloride was removed using a rotary evaporator and the polymerized product was obtained and purified by multiple extractions using dry methylene chloride. The final product was dried overnight in a vacuum oven at 40 degrees C to obtain the oxyphosphorus polymer. Lithium per chlorate and 400 MV oxyphosphorus polymer were dissolved in anhydrous ethanol in a ratio of 8:1 Li+:O,P or lithium salt and the polymer were dissolved in dry methanol and the methanol was removed using a vacuum apparatus to obtain a solid polymer electrolyte having high diffusion coefficients and transference numbers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The active material is nickel hydroxide, alloy having hydrogen adsorbed, lead, lithium, carbon, graphite, silica, etc.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Separator: The separator is woven or nonwoven fabric or membrane filter of tetrafluoroethylene resin, polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon. The resin is a thermoplastic resin having a softening point of 120degreesC or less e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, a resin having a curing temperature of room temperature to 120degreesC e.g. epoxy resin, phenol resin, urethane resin or unsaturated polyester, a resin soluble in a solvent having a evaporating temperature of 120degreesC or less e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene or vinyl ethylene acetate copolymer, or a water soluble resin e.g. polystyrene, polysulfone, polyfluorovinylidene or a resin soluble in a solvent soluble in alcohol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The segregation contains nickle (Ni) plates, Ni foil, carbon, Ni-plated ion, Ni-plated stainless steel or Ni-plated carbon. The current collector contains the similar material as those for the segregation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: An adhesive tape is bonded to the protective film, and the adhesive tape and the protective film are peeled at the same time.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The protective film is formed of a thermosetting polyester system resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The matrix material can be lead or its alloy. The fibers can be metallized fibers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The reinforcement material is uniformly dispersed upon a surface of one matrix material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The reinforcement material is non-conductive, large length-to-diameter ratio, low-density fibers from nylon fibers, polymeric aramid fibers, and/or polymeric fibers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The fibers can be glass fibers (32) and/or alumina-type glass fibers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The fibers can be aluminum oxide fiber, graphite fibers and/or alumina-type glass fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The hydrolytic polycondensation is carried out in the presence of a basic catalyst. A stabilizer is added to the sol, preferably a glycol ether and/or an alcohol ether. The monodispersed silicon oxide-hydroxide sol is prepared by addition of a tetraalkoxysilane to an aqueous-alcohol-ammonia hydrolysis mixture to form primary silicon oxide-hydroxide particles at 35-80 degrees C with further addition of tetraalkoxysilane to the mixture such that no additional particles are formed. Alcohol and ammonia are removed from the dispersion prior to addition of the monodispersed sol to the aqueous solvent and tetraalkoxysilane-containing hydrolysis mixture. The weight ratio of the first fraction to the second fraction is 25:1-1:5. The concentration of (SiOx(OH)y)n particles is 0.3-4 wt.%. The solvent is a low mol. wt. alcohol, preferably methanol, ethanol, i-propanol or n-propanol. The hybrid sol comprises 0.3-4 (1-2) wt.% (SiOx(OH)y)n particles, 2-50 (10-35) wt.% water, 2-97 (15-30) wt.% solvent and 0 (40-70) wt.% stabilizer. The hydrolytic polycondensation is carried out at 5-90 degrees C. The hybrid sol is intensively mixed at 10-40 degrees C for 1 minute to 48 hours. The monodispersed sol is added 5 minutes to 48 hours (20-180 minutes) after the addition of tetraalkoxysilane. EXAMPLE - Tetramethoxysilane (50.7 g) was added to a mixture of an aqueous 0.08 N solution of ammonium hydroxide (29.4 g) and ethanol (380 g). After stirring for 150 minutes, a monodispersed silicon oxide-hydroxide sol (400 g, average particle size of 25 nm) was added and the mixture stirred for a further 60 minutes prior to the addition of 1,2-propyleneglycol monomethyl ether (970 g). The resulting hybrid sol was filtered through glass fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell stack further comprises a second manifold which is different from the first manifold and in fluid communication with the first and third flow plate outlets, a second desiccant in the second manifold, a third manifold which is different from the first and second manifolds and in fluid communication with the second and fourth flow field plate inlets, a third desiccant in the third manifold, a fourth manifold which is different from the first three manifolds and in fluid communication with the second and fourth flow field outlets, and a fourth desiccant in the fourth manifold. The first desiccant is capable of desorbing water when it is above 100 degrees C.Preferred Materials: The first desiccant comprises molecular sieves, silica gels, or clays. It comprises granules in a water vapor-permeable container, or a compressed block.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layer: The polyolefin layer comprises polypropylene or polyethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Agent: The slipping agent is erucic acid amide or oleic acid amide. The acid modified polyolefin is provided as adhesive layer, and is alternately laminated by sandwich lamination at a temperature of more than the softening point of the acid modified polyolefin. The slipping agent coating is performed before emboss molding.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Paint Layer: The paint layer is epoxide and/or polyurethane or a mixture of them in which the epoxide forms 20-80 wt.%, preferably 30-70 wt.%.Preferred Current Collector: The current collector is preferably aluminum.Preferred Treatment Temperature: The thermal treatment is carried out at 40-200degreesC.Preferred Electricity Generator: The generator of electricity is a supercapacitor or a lithium battery. EXAMPLE - Tests were conducted with electrodes with geometric surface 4 cm2 in cells comprising an electrode for each polarity. The active material was a paste of 95% PICACTIF (RTM; activated charcoal) (BET surface 2300 m2/g) and 5% polytetrafluoroethylene binder. The electrolyte was a 1 M solution of tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate. Cycling of the cells was carried out at 80 mA/cm2 and 0-2.3 V. A reference was provided by use of aluminum electrodes with no treatment other than washing and drying before coating with the active material.    The surface resistance rose rapidly, reached a maximum of 18 Ohm.cm2, diminished and then grew at a constant rate demonstrating an instability at the aluminum/active matter interface. When the aluminum was cleansed mechanically with silicon carbide and chemically with 5 M potassium hydroxide, rinsing and immersing in 25% nitric acid and 18 g/l potassium fluoride before coating the surface resistance was 12-14 Ohm.cm2.    When, after the same cleansing routine the electrode was coated with a polyurethane based paint filled with 50 wt.% of acetylene black, the surface resistance was reduced to 4 Ohm.cm2. When the coating was stoved for 7 days at 200degreesC, the resistance was 3 Ohm.cm2. Stoving at 50degreesC gave a result of 4 Ohm.cm2. A similar result was obtained using epoxide, rather than polyurethane paint.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The rivets are of thermoplastic, preferably polyamide, PET, PBT, polypropylene, polycarbonate and/or ABS, especially polycarbonate and/or ABS (claimed). A base plate of polyurethane foam is present underneath the absorber. The absorber plates are of Cu, Al, Fe or Ni.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The polymer electrolyte contains an element from carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen apart from lithium and fluorine. The supporting electrolyte is lithium complex, such as Li(CF3SO2)2N, Li(C2F5SO2)2N, LiC4F9SO3, LiCF3SO3 and Li(C2F5PF3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The water soluble polymer is chosen from hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and/or carboxy methyl cellulose.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The plastic polymer is selected from vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, rubber-styrene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene and polychlorotrifluoroethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred compound: (A) are compounds of formula (1).Y = 1-5C alkylene or alkylidene, 5-15C cycloalkylene or cycloalkylidene,-O-, -CO-, -SO2-, -S- or direct bond;R1 and R2 = -CH3, -CH(CH3)2, -OCH3 or OC2H5;a and b = integer 0-4.(B) are compounds of formula (2).X and X' = halogen and attached to benzene ring at o- or p-position with respect to Z;Z = -SO2 or -CO;R3 and R4 = -SO3, phosphonic acid group, -COOH, their salt, alkyl, alkoxy, -NH2, -NO2 or -CN;c and d = integer 0-4.(C) are -SO3H, phosphonic acid group and/or -COOH. (D) are alkyl, alkoxy, -NH2, halogen, -NO2 and/or -CN.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred property: The polyether has logarithmic viscosity number of 0.1-2.0 as measured in a solution containing 0.5 g/dl of NMP, glass transition temperature of 200degreesC or higher and ion exchange equivalent of 0.1-2.5 mmol/g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polymer is represented by formula (2).Z = residue of mono-ethylenic unsaturated compound;m = 2-20;n = 3-200,000;p = 0-2;R1, R3 = hydrogen atom, group having carboxylic or sulfonic acid groups, or 1-4C alkyl or 6-10C aryl group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer consists of polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyvinyl ether, polyphosphazene, polysiloxane, polyvinylidene fluoride, poly(viylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene), polymethyl methacrylate, or polyester. The organic compound having the reversible gel formation consists of an oil gelatinizer consisting a compound of formula (1).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Product: An electrochemical cell comprises the new electrolyte composition. A photo-electrochemical cell comprises a charge-transporting layer with the new electrolyte composition, a dye-sensitized semiconductor layer, and a counter electrode. A non-aqueous rechargeable battery comprises the new electrolyte composition.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The liquid crystal substitution groups consist of an anionic moiety with mesogen groups and a cationic moiety with counter cations, especially alkali metal ions or the groups consist of a cationic moiety with mesogen groups and an anionic moiety with counter anions, especially iodide, (di)sulfone amide, N-acrylsulfone amide, carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, alcohol, active methylene, or anions given by dissociating the active methylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Product: A polymer solid electrolyte battery has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and an electrolyte. The electrolyte and the separator use the solid electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Proton acid group is chosen from carboxyl group, sulfonic acid group, phosphorous acidic radical.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Products: An electro-chemical battery contains the electrolytic composition. A photo-electro-chemical battery has the following on a conductive substrate: a charge transport layer containing the electrolytic composition, a photosensitive layer containing a semiconductor sensitized by a pigment, and counter electrodes. A nonaqueous secondary battery contains the electrolytic composition. Compounds: The liquid crystal compound consists of formulae (II), (III), or (IV).R1, R2 = optionally substituted alkyl;n1 = integer of 1-3;Y111 = divalent four-membered to seven-membered ring substituent, or condensed ring substituent consisting of divalent four-membered to seven-membered ring;Q121, Q131 = divalent linkage group or single bond;n2 = 1, 2, or 3;L1, L2 = divalent linkage group or single bond;Y1 = cation site or anion site (substituent having positive charge or negative charge;X1 = ion having charge opposite of Y1;R6 = substituent or H.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The activating material is nickel hydroxide powder also containing cobalt oxide and carbon particles, or a material selected from 16 specific materials including lead, lithium, iron or silica. The conductive filler is e.g. carbon fibre with nickel plating or fibrous nickel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The resin is selected from:(a) a thermoplastic resin with a softening temperature of 120 degrees C;(b) a resin with a hardening temperature from room temperature to 120 degrees C;(c) a resin solvent soluble resin with an evaporation temperature of 120 degrees C or less; or(d) a water soluble resin or a resin soluble in a solvent soluble in alcohol.Resins (a) and (c) is polyethylene, polypropylene, or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. Resin (b) is epoxy resin, phenol resin, polyurethane or unsaturated polyester. The water soluble resin is polyester sulfone, polystyrene, polysulfone, polyfluoro vinylidene, polyamide or polyimide. The resin soluble in alcohol soluble solvent is cellulose acetate or oxide phenylene ether.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: A cover sealing track is used as film (15). The solar cells or modules (6) have a synthetic plastic coating on the underside, and the solar cell or module coating can be bonded to the synthetic plastic film coating of a carrier sheet. The coating of the solar cells or modules is welded to the synthetic plastic film of the carrier sheet by hot welding, especially hot gas welding. The thickness of the artificial plastic film (15) is 0.25-2 mm. The supporting surface (5) has outer fixing legs (7) and (8), at an angle of 90-135 degrees to fixing leg (9) and an angle of 110-160 degrees to fixing leg (10). EXAMPLE - No specific example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The device comprises a dielectric layer that may be a organic resin, preferably a novolac resin. The conductive layer may comprise a layer of conducting polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The fine particles are selected from fine particles of metal, particles of oxide semiconductor, particles containing impurities as a dopant, particles of a spinel structure compound, particles of conductive nitride, particles of conductive boride compound and particles of a conductive polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Support: The support comprises a surface graft polymer.Preferred Compounds: The conductive polymer is chosen from optionally substituted conductive polyaniline, polyparaphenylene, polyparaphenylene vinylene, polythiophene, polyfuran, polypyrrole, polyselenophene, polyisothianaphthene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyacetylene, polypyridyl vinylene and polyazine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The metal layer consists of nickel or cobalt.Preferred Impurity: The impurity is phosphorus, fluoride or chloride.Preferred Film: The amorphous film is amorphous silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: Transverse grooves are formed on one of the opposed surfaces in a preselected pattern. The sheet is impregnated with a resin, and a predetermined pattern of transverse grooves is embossed. The sheet is cured, and sintered.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The water resistant additive comprises a fluoropolymer, or a 2-10 wt.% (preferably 2-30 wt.%) polytetrafluoroethylene material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The high molecular compounds of hollow fiber is selected from cellulose group compound, polypropylene group compound, aromatic polyimide group compound and aromatic polyamide group compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The aromatic addition agent is selected from biphenyl, furan, indole, and 3-chlorothiophene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Separator: The separator has total pore volume of 0.5-1 cm cubed/g. The separator has porosity of 20-70%, preferably 35-50%. The separator has thickness of 8-18 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The cam disk and its shaft are made as a single component consisting of a plastic material, preferably polyamide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: Polymer (A) and polymer (B) are contained in an amount of 1-200 mg per resin layer 1 m2, compound (C) is contained in an amount of 5-50 mg based on phosphorus, and (D) is contained in an amount of 0.5-50 mg based on zirconium. The weight ratio A:B is 20:1 to 1:20. (B) is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide and/or 2-hydroxyethyl-(meth)acrylate. The inner layer is an olefin-type heat-adhesive resin and the thickness is 101-00 micrometer. The inner layer comprises at least 2 layers and the innermost layer comprises the olefin-type heat-adhesive resin. The aluminum foil is 15-100 micrometer thick. EXAMPLE - Aluminum foil of 40 mum thickness was immersed in 10% sodium hydroxide solution for 30 seconds at 50 degrees C, washed with water, then deionized water and dried to give degreased foil. An aqueous treatment agent comprising 5 g of aminated phenol resin, 5 g acrylamide polymer, 20 g phosphoric acid, and 5.5 g zirconium fluoride was coated on the aluminum foil, and dried at 180 degrees C to form a resin layer on both sides of the foil. On one of the resin layers, a urethane-type dry laminate adhesive was applied to form an adhesive layer, and a biaxially stretched nylon film was applied. On the other resin layer, a urethane-type dry laminate adhesive was applied to form an adhesive layer, and a non-stretched polypropylene film applied.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A cell (110A) is provided with a separator (140A) that separates the cell into a cathode (132A) compartment (130A) and an anode (122A) compartment (120A).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The compound is indium, bismuth, tin, gallium, thallium, diindium trioxide, dibismuth trioxide, tin oxide, or digallium trioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte comprises methane sulfonic acid that forms a complex with cerium (Ce) when the methane sulfonic acid is deprotonated and when the Ce is in a cationic form.The methane sulfonic acid further forms a complex with the second element when the methane sulfonic acid is deprotonated and when the second element is in a cationic form. It comprises a chelating agent from ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid.The electrolyte may also comprise a compound that reduces hydrogen over-potential.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The phosphazene derivative is of formula R2Y2-P(=N-X)(Y1R1)(Y3R3) (I) and/or (PNR42)n (II);R1-R3 = a monovalent substituent or halogen;X = C, Si, Ge, Sn, N, P, As, Sb, Bi, O, S, Se, Te and/or Po;Y1-Y3 = divalent linking group, divalent element or a single bond;R4 = a monovalent substituent or halogen; andn = 3-14.The multiple bond other than the P-N multiple bond is a carbon-carbon multiple bond, especially a double bond. The group containing this multiple bond is an allyl or vinyl group. The surface roughness of the negative electrode is at most 0.6 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polymer is polyethylene oxide, polyacrylate and/or polypropylene oxide.The weight average molecular weight of the polymer is at least 100000, especially at least 5000000.The amount of polymer based on total of polymer and salt is 80-95 weight%.The content of phosphazene is at least 0.5 weight%. EXAMPLE - A 1:1 mixed solution (47.5 ml) of diethyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate is mixed with a phosphazene derivative (II:n = 3, R4 = ethoxy group and F atom in a ratio of EO/F of 2/4) (2.5 ml) to form a non-aqueous electrolyte. Polyethylene oxide (3.6 g) and a support salt (LiPF6) (0.4 g) are mixed and acetonitrile (10 ml) is added. It is heated to 40 degrees C in a vacuum, and immersed in the non-aqueous electrolyte (1 ml) to form a gel-like polymer electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The covering material consists of a non-bridged resin which is an ethylene-unsaturated fatty acid copolymer with unsaturated fatty acid content of 5-30 weight%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The lithium salt is lithium perchlorate, lithium trifluoro methane sulfonate, lithium tetrafluoro borate, lithium hexafluoro phosphate, lithium hexafluoro arsenate or lithium compound (Li(CF3SO2)2N). Preferred Definitions:    X1,X2 = methyl, trifluoromethyl or ethyl; and    j = 2.    EXAMPLE - An electrolyte composition comprising 1,1,1-tris(4-polyethoxylate phenyl) ethane triacrylate (in g) (1), poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (5.95), lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate (1.202) and dimethoxy phenyl acetophenone (0.097), was prepared. The obtained electrolyte composition was coated on a conductive glass substrate and irradiated with ultraviolet rays under nitrogen stream to form a polymeric thin film. The polymeric thin was transparent and had excellent adhesive power. The ionic conductivity of the polymeric film was 7.3x10-4 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Plate: The plate comprises 15-30 wt.% fluoropolymer, especially polyvinylidene fluoride or a copolymer with a vinylidene fluoride content of at least 60 wt.%, and 70-85 wt.% electrically conductive material, especially carbon black, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes or graphite. The plate has a density of 500-2170 kg/m3 and a bending modulus of 1000-12000 MPa.Preferred Method: The solution is an aqueous alcoholic solution with an alcohol content of 5-20 wt.%. The contact time is 5-120 minutes. EXAMPLE - A plate made from 20% Kynar 1000 (RTM: polyvinylidene fluoride) and 80% graphite was immersed in a mixture of water (1500 g), ethanol (180 g) and sodium hydroxide (240 g) at 70 degrees C for 1 hour. The plate was removed, dried at 75 degrees C, repeatedly rinsed with water, and dried at 75 degrees C. The water absorption of the hydrophilized plate after 30 seconds was 87% of maximum, compared with 0.3% for an untreated plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The non-aqueous solvent having the ring structure comprises ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, and/or their derivatives.The non-aqueous electrolyte is gelled by a matrix polymer.The ratio of the halogenated solvent is at least 10-20 wt.% in the non-aqueous solvent components.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The matrix polymer comprises polyethers, halogen-containing polymer compounds, polymer compounds including as a main component any of methacrylic acid or their various esters, polyacrylamide, polycarbonate, polysulfone and polyether sulfone or their derivates, and/or their copolymers. EXAMPLE - A non-aqueous solvent for a battery had (wt.%): ethylene carbonate (EC) (15), propylene carbonate (PC) (15), diethyl carbonate (DEC) (60), and n-butyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethylcarbonate (10). Another non-aqueous solvent for a comparative battery had (wt.%): EC (15), PC (15), and DEC (70). Lithium hexafluorophosphate (15 pbw) as electrolyte salt was dissolved in the respective non-aqueous solvent (85 pbw) to prepare a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. The non-aqueous solution (90 pbw) was homogeneously mixed with polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (10 pbw) as a matrix polymer to prepare a gel electrolyte solution which was uniformly applied to a cathode and an anode. The cathode and the anode were stuck to each other to obtain a battery element. The battery element was packed under vacuum by a laminate film having a three-layer structure comprising polypropylene, aluminum and nylon to obtain a respective gel electrolyte battery. The battery had cyclic characteristics of 76% compared to the comparative battery having cyclic characteristics of 74%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The possible materials for the transparent sections of the hollow profile include Plexiglas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Components: The biocatalyst comprises an oxidoreductase, which is bound to the first electrode. The oxidoreductase is fumarate reductase. The biocatalyst comprises cells of Actinobacillus succinogenes or Escherichia coli and the cells are disposed in the first compartment. The first electrode comprises nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) bound to the graphite felt.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The first electrode comprises neutral red covalently bound to the graphite felt. The second electrode includes a first surface and a second opposed surface, the electrolyte is disposed on the first surface, the first surface faces an interior of the first compartment, and the second surface comprises an exterior surface of the first compartment.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The first electrode comprises a carboxylated cellulose bound to the graphite felt and neutral red bound to the carboxylated cellulose.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metal ion electron mediator is an iron cation (Fe3+) or manganese cation (Mn4+).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The surfactant contains phosphoric acid trialkyl having C3-C10 alkyl group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Monomers: The monomer is typically of (1) optionally with optical activity.R1-Xm-D1-A-D2-Yn-R2 (1)A = liquid crystalline mesogen group of A1-B1-A2-B2-A3-B3-A4-B4-A5-B5-A6;A1,A2,A3 = 1,4-phenylene with at least one CH in the phenylene optionally replaced by CF or N or 1,4- cyclohexylene;A4,A5,A6 = single bond, 1,4-phenylene with at least one CH in the phenylene optionally replaced by CF or N or 1,4-cyclohexylene;B1,B2,B3,B4,B5 = single bond, -CH2O-, -OCH2-, -COO- or-OOC-;D1 = -(CH2)pCHE(CH2)qO-;D2 = single bond or -O(CH2)qCHE(CH2)p-;E = polymerizable functional group;p,q = 1-10;X = -CH2CH2O- or - CHCH3CH2O-;Y = -OCH2CH2- or -OCH2CHCH3-;m,n = 3-25;R1,R2 = 1-100C alkyl with at least one methylene in the alkyl optionally replaced by -O-, -CO-, -S-, -CH=CH-, -C triple bond C- or epoxy or H in the alkyl optionally replaced by F.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The holding profiles are of aluminum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sealing profile is of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The condensation polycyclic aromatic compound is naphthalene, pyrene, anthracene, and/or phananthrene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The conductive adhesive comprises a thermoplastic high polymer film, preferably a Surlyn film. The negative electrode is a titanium dioxide membrane and the positive electrode is a platinum membrane. The conductive substrate is a transparent layer of tin dioxide or indium tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polyoxyethylene ether has formula (II) or (III).R1, R2 = atomic group;a = integer of 1-8;R3 = 1-6C alkyl group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The salt used in the manufacture of battery is selected from LiClO4, LiBF4, LiPF6, LiAsF6, LiCF3 and compound selected from SO3, LiAlCl4, Li(CF3SO2)2N.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The compatibility solvent used in the manufacture of battery is selected from the group consisting of ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, diethoxyethane, propylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate and dimethoxyethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The salts applied to the slurry is selected from the group comprising magnesium chloride, ferric chloride, anhydrous mirabilite, alum, sodium carbonate, phosphoric acid soda, aluminum sulfate, tin chloride, zinc chloride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The salts applied to the slurry is selected from the group comprising acetic acid soda, cane sugar, sorbitol, naphthalene, sulfonic acid formalin condensate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thermal insulating slab consists of foamed polystyrene or polyurethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Depositing an anode upon the material with ion-conducting behavior is performed using anode material consisting of silicon-tin oxynitride, lithium metal, zinc nitride, or tin nitride. Spraying the solution onto the cathode compound, forming a mixed oxide material is performed using cathode material consisting of lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), vanadium oxide (V2O5), lithium manganese oxide (LixMn2O4), lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or TiS2. Providing a current collector step is performed using the current collector comprising gold on top of a cobalt or titanium underlayer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A coating of epoxy is deposited over the entire thin film battery which is then cured and annealed.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The method further comprises heating the substrate to 300-500 degrees C. It further comprises heating the mixed oxide material containing ammonia at 500 degrees C. The method of producing a thin film battery further comprises adding a protective coating including a layer of aluminum oxide over an upper layer of the thin film battery and a layer of silicon dioxide on top of the layer of aluminum oxide. The annealing is performed at 400-500 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dehydrating Agent: The dehydrating chemical is a carbodiimide of formula (I).R1-N=C=N-(X-N=C=N)n-R2 (I)R1, R2 = hydrogen or halogen atom, (thio)alkyl, alkoxy, acyl, (thio)carbamoyl, nitrile, (thio)amino, amide, (thio)phosphoryl, (thio)phosphinoyl, phosphanyl, thio, silyl, silanol, sulfonyl, germyl or stannyl group;X = alkyl, ether, silyl or acyl chain;n = 0 or more.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dehydrating Chemical: The dehydrating chemical is:(a) of physical absorption dehydrating type including molecular sieve, alumina and silicic acid gel,(b) neutral type including calcium chloride, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfate and sodium hydrogen sulfate,(c) acidic type including zinc chloride and phosphorus pentoxide or(d) basic type including potassium or sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium, magnesium, calcium or barium oxide, calcium hydride or soda lime.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The energy collecting, insulating and storage element consists of polypropylene or some other weldable plastic material which could also be reinforced by glass fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Concentration: The ratio a:b is given such that the overall concentration of monomer units derived from (IIb) is 6:12 mole %. The ratio of u:v is 83:17-64:36 and that of x:y is 100:0-93:7. Preferred Components: The polymer is an ionomer of formula ((CF2CH2)u(CF2-CF-O-Rf-SO3-+M)v)a((CF2CH2)x(CF2-C F-O-Rf-SO3-+M)y)b or ((CF2CH2)u(CF2-CF-O-Rf-SO2C(CN)2-+M)v)a((CF2CH2)x(CF2-C F-O-Rf-SO2C(CN)2-+M)y)b. The composition further comprises a polar liquid, preferably water, alcohol or organic carbonate.M = alkali metal, NH4 or H (preferably Li) Preferred Definitions:    Rf = -CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2-    EXAMPLE - A reactor was charged with 1.65 L demineralized water and 6 g ammonium perfluorooctanoate. It was sealed to 689 kPa and vented to 0 kPa. It was then evacuated to - 97 kPa and purged with vinylidene difluoride to 0 kPa. At 0 kPa of monomer 1,1-difluoroethane (VF2) in the reactor, 10 g 2-(1-(difluoro((trifluoroethenyl)oxy)methyl) -1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethanesulfonyl fluoride (PSEPVE) was injected. The contents were heated to 60 degrees C, and pressurized with VF2 to 2.07 MPa at which time 0.9 g potassium persulfate in 20 ml water was injected. For stage-1, a mixture of VF2 and PSEPVE in a mole ratio of 1:1 was fed to the reactor until 215 g of PSEPVE were fed to complete the polymerization. For stage-2, 334 g VF2 was fed to the reactor. The total polymerization time was 4.7 hour at 116 g/hr. The contents were cooled, vented and discharged as a milky-white polymer emulsion containing 22 wt.% polymer. The pressed polymer had initial modulus of 176.4 MPa, tensile strength of 22.7 MPa, and elongation at break of 260%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The anode catalyst comprises platinum and ruthenium, and the cathode catalyst comprises platinum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The proton conducting membrane is made of perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer or a co-polymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and perfluorovinyl ether sulfonic acid. The wetting agent is selected from polymeric perfluorosulfonic acid, polyhydrocarbon sulfonic acid, polyetherketonesulfonic acid, polyethersulfone sulfonic acid, polybenzimidazole, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and a co-polymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid (FVS). The oxygen solvent consists of a co-polymer of TFE, FVS and PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The sheet is made of a thermosetting resin like phenol resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The reducing device has several protuberances, each disposed within each of the gas channels and integrally formed with bipolar plate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The reducing device is made of a porous material placed at the openings. The porous material has interconnected spherical voids and is hydrophobic. The porous material is polyester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The adhesive sheet has ethylene resin layer containing mainly polyethylene with shear modulus at 80degreesC of 3x105 Pa or ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, laminated on one surface of the modified ethylene resin layer. The adhesive sheet consists of mixture of modified ethylene resin grafted with alkoxy silane, polyethylene, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-acrylate copolymer and/or ethylene resin except modified ethylene resin. EXAMPLE - A hindered amine group optical stabilizer (in mass parts) (0.5) and a phenol group antioxidant (0.1) were added to silane modified ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer grafted with 0.8 mass% of alkoxy silane having melting point of 84degreesC, and resulting mixture was extruded at 150degreesC to form a 300 mum thick adhesive sheet. The sheet had shear modulus of 5x105 at 80degreesC. The sheet was used as filter for solar cell and solar cell module was produced. The adhesive sheet had excellent durability and adhesion. Reliability of the solar cell module was improved using the adhesive sheet. The solar cell module was produced at low temperature in a short time efficiently using the adhesive sheet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The portion with smaller thermal conductive material e.g. plastic material is selected from a group consisting of polycarbonate, polyamide, polyacetal, PPE, polyester, polyallylate, unsaturated polyester, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, polybutylene terephthalate, nylon, polypropyrene, polyvinyl chloride and ABS resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The portion with larger thermal conductive material is a resin mixed with material containing aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO2), silver (Ag), and stainless steel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Solar Cell: The gel base material comprises a copolymer of thermoplastic polysiloxane obtained by ionic copolymerisation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Battery: The battery main component consists of a fluoropolymer salt, a solvent and a vinylidene fluoride polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The condensed system polymer is chosen from polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polyarylate and polyurethane. The condensed system polymer contains a functional group which is a carbazole group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The positive electrode active material can be selected from complex oxides containing lithium, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, lithium manganese aluminum or lithium manganese chromium. The conductive polymer is polyaniline.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The positive electrode active material can be selected from complex oxides containing lithium, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, lithium manganese aluminum or lithium manganese chromium. The conductive polymer is polyaniline.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The electroconductive film consists of polyaniline.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The battery case is rectangular parallel piped. The outer diameter of a circle having the same area as a section perpendicular in the longitudinal direction is considered the outer diameter of the batter case. The current capacity is at least 50 Wh. Lithium-manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) is used as a positive active material. As a material of the separator, a three-layer structure material in which a polyethylene film having lithium ion permeability and including micropores is between porous polypropylene films having lithium ion permeability. Pressure release valve(s) is provided releasing the battery internal pressure to the ambient air pressure when the battery internal pressure rises and reaches a predetermined pressure.Preferred Property: The polypropylene films have a softening temperature higher than the polyethylene film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sheet: The adhesive sheet is formed by laminating an alkoxy silane layer having an amino group on the surface of the modified ethylene group resin layer having shear modulus of 3x105 Pa or more at 80degreesC. The modified ethylene resin layer is an ethylene layer comprising polyethylene, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, ethylene-vinylacetate polymer and/or ethylene-acrylate polymer, and 0.01 mass% or more of epoxy compound as a copolymerization component or an addition component. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-glycidylmethacrylate copolymer (in weight part) (100), hindered amine group optical stabilizer (0.5), and phenol group antioxidant (0.1) were mixed and extruded into a sheet of thickness 300 mum at 160degreesC. The extruded sheet had shear modulus of 3x106 Pa at 80degreesC. The sheet was coated with ethanol solution of (gamma)-aminopropyl triethoxysilane and dried at 80degreesC for 20 seconds. Ethanol was volatilized and (gamma)-aminopropyl triethoxysilane coating of thickness 0.01 mum was formed on the surface of the sheet. The resulting adhesive sheet was laminated with aluminum foil in the order of polyvinylfluoride-aluminum foil laminate/adhesive sheet/aluminum plate/adhesive sheet, and heated in vacuum for 20 minutes at 130degreesC in a heat-resistant rubber bag. The resulting laminate was used for solar cell module. The arrangement was left for 2000 hours at 85degreesC and 85% relative humidity atmosphere based on JIS C8917, and at 23degreesC in 10% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide for 200 hours based on JIS K7114. Exfoliation of the adhesive sheet, yellowing or cracking of the sheet were not observed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The non-aqueous electrolyte solution contains (a) the reduction decomposed compound, (b) ionic conductive salt and (c) organic electrolyte solution. The amount of (a) is 0.01-7 wt.%. Compound (a) is maleic acid anhydride , N-methylmaleimide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate, vinyloxazoline, propane sultone, butane sultone, vinylene carbonate, N-vinylcaprolactam, 2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane, vinylethylene carbonate, butadiene sulfone, fluoroethylene carbonate, ethylene sulfite or their derivatives. EXAMPLE - No relevant example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition is gelated at 50 degrees C or higher. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprises (A) as defined in the following, (B) ionic conductive salt and (C) organic electrolyte solution. The amount of (A) is 0.01-7 wt.%. (A) is (A1) maleic acid anhydride or derivative, (A2) N-methylmaleimide or derivative, N-vinylpyrrolidone or derivative, tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate or derivatives, vinyloxazoline or derivative, propansulfone, butane sulfone or derivative, vinylene carbonate or derivative, N-vinylcaprolactam or derivative, 2-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane or derivative, vinylethylene carbonate or derivative, butadiene sulfone, fluoroethylene carbonate, ethylene sulfite or derivative.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The oxide-etching component consists of hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride and/or ammonium hydrogen fluoride. The interacting time is 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Adhesive: The mirrors are fastened to the concave surface of the panel using an epoxidic or acrylic glue.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The material layer comprises a polyester microfilm or a polyimide film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The film includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as basis material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: An adhesive (5) containing a conductive substance is used to adhere the film on the back surface of the solar battery cell. The film is colored with a single, uniform color or with a color that is selected arbitrarily. It is translucent, and is sized to have no more than an area equal to a single sheet of the solar battery cell. It is sized to cover not less than 2 successive sheets of the solar battery cell. It is sized to match an entirety of a surface of the photovoltaic module. It is continuous within an interconnection of a matrix (3) of the solar battery cells. A letter or a pattern is arranged on the film at a portion seen through the backside glass. The backside glass has an outer side with an entire surface covered with a translucent, colored film. The indoor glass has a surface with the translucent, colored film. The surface of the indoor glass that is opposite the photovoltaic module of the glass laminate structure and the surface of the photovoltaic module of glass laminate structure have a polarizing, translucent film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The compound (A) comprises at least one compound chosen from diethyl carbonate, 1,4-dioxane, polyethylene glycol, ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate. EXAMPLE - Bis(pentafluoroisopropenyl)terephthalate (FDFT) (in g) (2.14), diethyl carbonate (3.6), ethylene carbonate (1.7), benzoyl peroxide (0.242) and an electrolytic salt (LiCF3SO3), were mixed and a solution having electrolytic salt concentration of 1 mol/dm3 was obtained. A non-woven fabric was placed between the anode and cathode, and a load of 0.1 MPa was applied to obtain a laminate. Stainless steel terminals were mounted to the anode and cathode, respectively, and the entire assembly was inserted into a folder-like aluminum laminated film.    The obtained solution was injected into the non-woven fabric, and the ends of the folder-like aluminum laminated film were heat-welded to complete a hermetic seal. The resultant assembly was kept at constant temperature bath of 80degreesC for 15 hours, and a battery was obtained. The initial discharging capacity, cyclic characteristic and high-speed charge-discharge characteristic of the obtained battery were found to be 1.2 mAh, 80 times and 80% respectively.    The obtained battery had superior initial discharging capacity, cyclic characteristics and high-speed charge-discharge characteristic. When the aluminum-laminated film of the obtained battery was peeled, no fluidity of the electrolyte was observed inside of the battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The catalytic layer is made using water- based hydrophilic inks. Prior to formation of the membrane electrode element, the polymer- electrolyte membrane is pre- soaked in solvent used for the catalytic layer. The carbon substrate is 1- 30% loaded with PTFE, with respect to the water- repellent carbon substrate total weight. The bond between the polymer- electrolyte membrane and the catalytic layers with carbon substrate, is created in two stages. Preferred Method: In the first stage, the two parts are brought together at a temperature of 70- 100degrees C and pressure of 1- 5 bar. In the second stage, the temperature is raised to between 120 and 145degrees C and pressure of 10- 120 bar, in each case for a period of 1- 10 minutes. also claimed is a commensurate polymer- electrolyte membrane catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Barrier: The barrier comprises a proton-conductive polymeric membrane. The cathode electrode is effective to convey the electrons to hydrogen peroxide, oxygen or a solid oxidant in the cathode compartment. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The 1C compound is methanol or an oxidative product.    EXAMPLE - A fuel cell was formed using a disk of Teflon polymer electroplated on both sides with gold, with milled aperture(s) to the disk. A biomembrane was formed across the apertures with a phospholipid composition dissolved in solvent containing 45% methanol, 45% chloroform and 10% decane. The organic lipid solution was deposited on the self-assembled thiol monolayer on an electrode assembly immersed in electrolyte containing 25 mM Tris hydrochloric acid with 100 mM sodium chloride, and a layer of the mixture was drawn across the aperture and allowed to thin. Equal hydrostatic pressure on both side of the aperture was maintained. Incorporation of the polypeptide was accomplished by fusion with a biomembrane, in a solution containing 10 mM calcium chloride of vesicles that contained polypeptide. Calcium was used as an agent to promote the vesicles with membranes. The vesicles were injected on the biomembrane, incubated on the anode side. The protein-containing vesicles were prepared by incubating a detergent solution of the protein with vesicles freshly formed from lipids using sonication. A device with anode and cathode compartments was constructed from Delran plastic with the compartment separated by the aperture-containing disk. The disk was sealed in place with rubber gaskets. Connections were made to an electrometer using gold connecting wires in parallel with an electronically varied external load. 2 mM benzyl viologen was used in the anode compartment to act as the electron transfer mediate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The non-functional polymer is selected from: polyimines,polysulfones, polybenzimides, Teflon, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), olefinic optionally fluorinated polymers or copolymers, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, crosslinked polyvinyl alcohols, vinyl polymers, and mixtures of two or more of these. The inorganic, organic,or polymer filler is selected from: silicated layers, zeolites, organic carboxylic acids, polyphosphoric acids, and mixtures of two or more of these. The composition contains a plasticizer selected from: N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, MEEK, aromatic solvents, tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate, and protic systems. The polymer content is 70-98, and the filler content 20-30 wt% respectively. The laminate comprises: (polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)/electrically conductive catalyst layer /bipolar electrode)n, where n = 1-100. EXAMPLE - To Cloisite-Na(RTM)(bentonite(16.8)) dispersed in methylethyl ketone (96 g) was added PVDF copolymer (7.2) and commercial Solef21216(RTM), and the mixture obtained was heated with stirring to 80degreesC, and applied to a siliconized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film in a wet thickness layer of thickness 750 micron, and the film was dried at 50degreesC, to give a membrane of thickness 55 micron, and conductivity 7.3.10- S/cm on activation with sulfuric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The openings are covered with movable louvers. The bottom plate surface interior to the rectangular box enclosure is covered with thermal insulating material. The interface with plant electrical power system consists of electrical junction box and threaded conduit below located on the external surface of the bottom of the rectangular box enclosure. The discharge outlet is a standard threaded brass half inch pipe fitting. The temperature sensor is a resistance type sensor. The lens supports have a width that allows a Fresnel lens stand-off distance ranging from 4-6 inches from top cover of the rectangular box enclosure.Preferred Parameters: The Fresnel lenses are 0.3 inches thick.Preferred Process: The discharge temperature is set to a temperature that sets a proportional temperature of the photovoltaic grid to 70-100 degreesF. When the control panel is mounted on the building roof, its temperature is controlled by flowing a hot fluid into the copper tub heat exchanger, removing heat from the fluid by the copper tubes and conducting the heat to the thermal collecting/radiator plate, and radiating the heat out through the enclosure and heating the surrounding roof area. The heat is for melting ice and snow on the collector assembly and surrounding roof. A cool liquid may be introduced instead of hot liquid to cool the roof.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The enclosure and lens supports are made from aluminum. The thermal collecting/radiator plate and interconnected heat collecting tubes are made of copper. The thermally conductive material is an epoxy paste impregnated with copper.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The Fresnel lenses, lens retainers and top cover are made of plastic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The top cover is made of glass. The thermal insulating material is foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The deposition material may be deposited using an electrostatic spray head.The method also includes curing the deposited fluid by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and depositing optical material on the solar cell.The solar cell is deposited on polyaniline layer containing TCNQ for injecting electrons.Preferred Components: The solar cell has a photovoltaic structure.The optical surface comprises anti-reflection surface, array of microlenses (412), and/or moisture and water vapor barrier.The droplets comprise droplet(s) of one material and droplet(s) of another material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The deposition material comprises transparent conducting material (e.g. polyaniline), 60C-doped conducting polymer, metallo-organic, and/or polymeric semiconducting material.The optical material comprises organically-modified ceramic and/or polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polysiloxane adhesive contains cross-linked polymerized reaction product of polysiloxane polymers, oligomers or monomers containing at least one hydroxy or alkoxy group such as methoxy or ethoxy group. The polysiloxane is preferably dimethyl siloxane or tetra(trimethylsiloxy)silane. The polysiloxane coating is present in an amount of 0.01-0.4 mg/cm2.Preferred Process: The polysiloxane adhesive is diluted with an organic solvent and applied onto the surface of at least one of anode, cathode and separator by spray coating, brushing or dip coating.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The cell further comprises a case for containing anode, cathode and separator, and an electrolyte inside the case. The anode, cathode and separator are in spiral or in stacked structure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The organic solvent is toluene, xylene, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, butanone and dioxane. EXAMPLE - Anode and cathode were spray coated with polysiloxane/toluene solution of amount 0.05-0.17 mg/cm2. 1 mil microporous polypropylene separator sheet was placed between anode and cathode and electrode stack was formed. The electrode stack was vacuum dried at 50-120degreesC and enclosed in a flexible plastic laminated aluminum bag injected with 1 M lithium hexafluoro phosphate in ethylene carbonate:dimethyl carbonate. A typical electrochemical cell was formed. The cell was charged at 350 mA to 4.2 V with 30 mA cutoff. The discharge capability of the cell at 900 mA was 96.9%, at 300 mA was 99.5% and at 120 mA was 100%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred material: The cathode active material is selected from LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiNiO2 and LiCoxNi(1-x)O2 where x is a fractional number between 0-1. The anode active material is selected from graphite, carbon, mesocarbon microbeads. The cathode active material is mixed with conductive powders and glue for coating on the current collector.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The glue is a polymeric epoxy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Compound-(A) contains an open ring polymer of the oxetane compounds of formula (2) or (3).m3, m4 = 1-6;n3, n4 = 1-20;R5 - R8 = 1-12C alkyl groupThe ratio of compound-(A) to salt-(B) is 0.01-0.9 in terms of the (salt)/(ether chain) ratio. A method of producing the solid polymer electrolyte comprises open-ring polymerization of the oxetane compounds in the presence of catalysts. Open-ring polymerization is carried out in an organic solvent which contains catalysts at 30-150 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The adhesive is a curable metal filled adhesive, a thermally curable adhesive, or at least partly an organic adhesive. Preferred Condition: The pressure within the envelope is above 10-2 Pa to at most 10 kPa, preferably 1-4000 Pa.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The envelope is made of glass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The plate or the end caps (18) is made of stainless steel or powder-coated mild steel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The metal-filled adhesive is a metal-filled epoxy adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred compounds: The polyamide contains the repeating unit of formula (2), (3), or (4).a', b' = integer of 1-4;(x+y) = 1-8The polyamide contains at least 50 mol% of the repeating unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each of the cells has front and back contacts and the cells are interconnected by conductors that have been soldered in place using an acidic flux. The solar cells can be cadmium telluride solar cells or CIGS solar cells comprising Cu(InGa)(SeS)2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The ionomer consists of ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, or Surlyn 1705. The ionomer can be modified by the addition of ultraviolet (UV) absorber, such as Chimasorb 944 and UV stabilizer, such as Tinuvin 328.Preferred Property: The zinc ionomer has low water solubility and melts at 95degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The front panel is made of glass and the rear sheet is made of Tedlar.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Dimensions: Each of the concavities has a depth of 0.01-0.1 preferably 0.05 mm. Each of the external terminals project from the bottom face by a distance of 0.02 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A material for the resin case is liquid crystal polymer, polyphenylene sulfide, or polyetheretherketone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: A material for the external terminals is iron, brass, or phosphor bronze as a principal constituent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Composition: The positive active material has an MnO2 layer on its surface. The composite oxide is covered with the conductive polymer.Products: Paste for a positive electrode contains the positive active material, a conductivity-providing agent, a binder, and a solvent dissolving or swelling organic binders. The positive electrode consists of the positive active material, a conductivity-providing agent, a binder, and a current collector. A secondary battery using a non aqueous electrolyte consists of a positive electrode containing the positive active material, an electrolyte containing a Li ion, a non aqueous electrolyte, and a negative electrode capable of absorbing and releasing a Li ion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Metal plate is made of either of stainless steel, iron, aluminum alloy, copper or copper alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The resin layer is made of either of polyester, nylon or polyolefin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The dome-like cap is hemispherical, conical, and/or pyramidal. The porous membrane is hydrophobic. The pressure relief valve structure is removable from and reinstallable in the top surface of the battery. The outer relief vent comprises a stretchable cap placed on the upper end of the gas flow chamber, and an impervious plastic cap.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The porous membrane is microporous polypropylene, microporous polyethylene, microporous polytetrafluoroethylene, microporous fluorinated ethylene propylene, microporous fluoropolymers, and/or their copolymers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: In the dipole plate, a part of the graphite is substituted with 5-30 weight% carbon black. The frame and dipole plate are unified by melt adhesion. A reinforcing plate is present at the boundary part of the frame and the dipole plate. The thickness of the reinforcing plate is at most0.5mm. EXAMPLE - The frame cell comprises a resin of 50 weight% vinyl chloride and 50 weight% acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. The outer width is 1000mm, outer height is 800mm and the thickness is 5mm. The inner width is 900mm and the inner height is 600mm. The seal groove has a width of 3mm, a depth of 1mm and a groove spacing of 5mm. The dipole plate comprises 50 weight% graphite, 10 weight% carbon black, 29 weight% chlorinated polyethylene, 5% vinyl chloride, 5% chlorinated paraffin, and 1 weight% stabilizer and filler.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: A fatty acid metallic salt or a sulfonic acid metallic salt is dispersed in 20-2000 ppm by weight ratio with respect to the matrix polymer. The non-aqueous electrolyte contains 20-98 weight% of the gel-like electrolyte.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The electrolyte salt is a lithium salt. EXAMPLE - A plasticizer mix containing ethylene carbonate (35), propylene carbonate (45) and gamma-butyrolactone (10), and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) as an electrolyte salt were prepared as electrolyte components. Subsequently, diethyl carbonate (65), poly(vinylidene-fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) copolymer (PVdF-HFP) (5) containing 25 weight% of HFP, and the plasticizer solution (30) were mixed. An electrolytic solution was prepared by dispersing the obtained mixed solution in magnesium stearate as a fatty acid metallic salt. The obtained electrolyte provided excellent cycle characteristics, heavy-current discharge characteristics and low-temperature characteristics.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The thickness of layer (B) is 5-20 micro m and that of layer (A) is 0.1-20 micro m. Further, a hydrogen barrier layer comprising fullerene derivative and polyvinyl alcohol mixture is provided on at least one surface of proton conductor film. The thickness of hydrogen barrier layer is 0.1-10 micro m. A proton dissociation property group or electron withdrawing group is introduced into the fullerene molecule. The proton dissociation property group is -XH or -OH or -YOH, where X and Y are arbitrary atoms or atom having bivalent bond, preferably -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H or -OPO(OH)2. The electron withdrawing group is nitro, carbonyl, carboxyl, nitrile, alkyl halide or halogen. EXAMPLE - A dispersion liquid comprising hydrogen sulfate esterified fullerenol was coated on a carbon electrode and the solvent was volatilized to form a layer (A) of thickness 2.5 micro m. A liquid comprising hydrogen sulfate esterified fullerenol and polyvinyl alcohol was coated on the formed layer (A) to form a layer (B) of thickness 2.5 micro m. A platinum particle was dispersed on the surface of the carbon electrode to form a fuel cell. The obtained fuel cell had excellent output.
Preferred System: The system includes an automatic orientation device (3) having a pair of orthogonal cables and actuating means (31) adapted to selectively tension the cables in order to rotate the reflecting member about the focus region. The automatic orientation device comprises a photovoltaic transducer for driving the actuating means fixed with the reflecting member. The transducer comprises pairs of photovoltaic sensors differently oriented and electrically connected, so that the potential difference between the cells of a pair depends on the orientation of the reflecting member with respect to the incident radiation. The orientation device comprises, for each pair of cells, a relay, its movable member being selectively moved, by electromagnetic attraction, according to the potential difference between the cells.    Preferred Thermal Plant: The heat exchanger comprises a spiral shaped exchange component. Heat exchangers are connected in parallel by means for feeding process water. The plant is combined with a heat exchanger inside a hot-air motor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The conductive layer (6) comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyvinylidene chloride, and electroconductive material (40-90 volume%). Preferred Properties: The water repellent conductive layer has a critical surface tension of 17-30 dynes with respect to water, among the entire surface or collector portion of metallic surface, and sheet resistivity of 20 mOMEGAcm2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The cation is an alkali metal, preferably lithium or magnesium or aluminum or an organic cation, preferably a nitrosyl, nitryl or organic cation of formulae (III)-(XIV).(N(R7)4)+ (III)(P(R7)4)+ (IV)(P(N(R7)2)4)+ (V)(C(N(R7)2)3)+ (VI)R7 = H, 1-10C alkyl or A, optionally substituted by fluorine or a 5-6 membered cycloalkyl and optionally containing -O-linkages;R1-R6 = H, halogen, preferably F, 1-8C alkyl, optionally substituted by F, Cl, N(CrF(2r+1-s)Hs)2, O(CrF(2r+1-s)Hs), SO2(CrF(2r+1-s)Hs or CrF(2r+1-s))Hs;r = 1-6;s = 0 - 2r+1 whereby R1-R6 are not halogen of they are directly bonded to nitrogen.The fluoroalkyl phosphate salts (I) are of formula (XV) or (XVI).(Li+)2((C2F5)2PF3(CF2)2PF3(C2F5)2)(2-) (XV)(N(C2H5)4+)2((C2F5)2PF3(CF2)2PF3(C2F5)2)(2-) (XVI)The mixture (II) comprises 5-90 (10-80) wt.% fluoroalkylphosphate salt and 5-95 (20-90) wt.% polymer, preferably of vinylidenedifluoride, acrylonitrile, methylmethacrylate, tetrahydrofuran, preferably a homo- or copolymer of vinylidene difluoride. The polymer is preferably cross-linked and the mixture (II) contains a solvent, preferably an organic carbonate, ester, ether, amide, sulfur containing solvent and/or aprotic solvent.Preferred Process: The fluoride salt of formula (Ma+)(F-)n is added in an up to 10(5), preferably 2-fold excess wrt. fluoro-alpha,omega-bis((fluoroalkyl)fluorophosphorano)alkane. The reaction is carried out at -35 to 80(-10 to 25) degrees C in a solvent, preferably an organic carbonate, ester, ether, amide, sulfur containing solvent and/or aprotic solvent. EXAMPLE - An electrolyte solution containing 0.5 mol/kg dilithium perfluoro-1,2-bis(diethylenetrifluorophophato)ethane in a 1:1 mixture of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate had an oxidation potential of greater than 5V against a lithium reference electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Battery: The battery of the assembly comprises a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The outer diameter of the pressure container is smaller than the internal diameter. The periphery wall portion and a low-wall portion are formed of porous material. A cartridge (3) which accommodates a hydrogen occlusion material, and a holder which holds the cartridge in the pressure container, are provided. A low-wall portion of the cartridge separates the base (2b) and the space of the pressure container. The holder holds the cartridge so that it is positioned by the periphery wall portion separating the inner surface (2a) and the space of the pressure container. A gas passage way is connected to the pressure container and a valve is provided to the gas passage way. A hydrogen gas supply source (14) is connected by the gas passage way in the pressure container. The cross-section of the cartridge is annular. The inner peripheral wall portion of the cartridge is formed of porous material. A heating unit is provided to heat the pressure container. Change valves (I,II) (13,15) are provided to the gas passage way. The hydrogen gas supply source is connected to the gas passage way through change valve (I). A supply source of inactive gas is connected to the gas passage way through change valve (II). Change valve (III) is provided to the gas passage way. A supply source of reducible gas is connected to the gas passage way through change valve (III). The holder provided to the low-valve outside surface of the cartridge, has at least three leg portions (6). The leg portions are formed of porous material. A projection portion is provided to the outer wall portion of the cartridge, and an engagement portion is provided to the inner face of the pressure container.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The aromatic compound is selected from the group containing benzene, phenol, aniline, phenyl acetylene and pyrrole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Diamine Component: The diamine component comprises 4,4'-diamino diphenylether and a para phenylene diamine of molar ratio 70:30-82:18. Preferred Acid Dianhydride Component: The component includes pyromellitic dianhydride and a biphenyl tertracarboxylic-acid of molar ratio 100:0-65:35.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metallic substrate is selected from a group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, copper, nickel and steel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The electroconductive filler is selected from a group consisting of carbon, metal carbide, metallic oxide, metallic nitride and metallic powder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The ratio W2/W1 is 0.7-2.0. The hydrophilic segment is water-soluble. The hydrophobic segment comprises structural units of formula (I)m, n = an integer 3-1500;Ar = a divalent aromatic residual group e.g. a p-biphenylene group.The hydrophilic segment comprises a segment in which the structural unit of formula (II) is sulfonated where R1 = -C=O or S(=O)2. The hydrophobic segment comprises a block having repeat units of formula (IV). The hydrophilic segment comprises a block having repeat units where a part of formula (V) and (VI) is sulfonated. The electrolyte has an ion exchange capacity of 0.8-2.5mmol/g. Preferred Film: The electrolyte film has a microphase separation structure where domains are observed when performing observation to 9000 times by permeation-type electron microscopy. EXAMPLE - Bis-(4-fluorophenyl) sulfone (51.7g), bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfone (50g) and Ca carbonate (36g) are introduced to a flask and N,N-dimethyl-acetamide (300ml) and toluene (200ml) are added. The mixture is heated and stirred under a nitrogen flow then heated to 165degreesC to remove water and toluene. After stirring for 3 hours, the mixture is introduced to excess water to precipitate a white solid polymer (A) after working up. Bis-(4-fluorophenyl) sulfone (25.3g), bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfone (18.9g) and Ca carbonate (18g) are introduced to a flask and N,N-dimethyl-acetamide (150ml) and toluene (100ml) are added. The mixture is heated and stirred under a nitrogen flow then heated to 165degreesC to remove water and toluene to produce a polymer (B). Polymer (A) (42.6g) is dissolved in N,N-dimethyl-acetamide (150ml) and toluene (100ml) to form a solution and added to the polymer (B) solution, and a block polymer is produced. This block polymer is dissolved in 98% sulfuric acid to form a sulfonated block polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The non-aqueous solvent has a flash point above 70 degreesC. The solvent having the specific dielectric constant is cyclo-carbonate or cyclo-carboxylate. The non-aqueous solvent contains at least 20 vol.% of ethylene carbonate. The surfactant is polyoxyethylene ether having perfluoro alkyl groups of formula (1).R = hydrogen atom or methyl group;Rf = 2-10C perfluoro alkyl group;X = nonionic bonding group having up to 200 of molecular weight, containing H, C, O, N, P, or S;m = 2-10
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Structure: The spacing structure is carbon, ketone, ether, thioether, silyl ether, amide, ester, imide, carbonate or urethane. The spacing structure is a monomer, oligomer or polymer group which contains alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, ketone, ether, thioether, aldehyde, amide, ester, thiol, cyano, urethane, halogen, nitrile, carboxyl, silyl, polyalkene oxy, polyalkylene, polyarylene sulfate, polyarylenesulfone, polyphenoxyphenylketone, polystyrene, polyphenylene, polyamide, polyimide, polyester or polyolefin. The polymer main structure is polyphenylene, polyester, polyalkeneoxy, polyaryleneoxy, polyallylenesulfate, polyarylenesulfone, polyphenoxyphenylketone, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide or polyolefin. The protonic acid group is a sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid or sulfonimide group.Preferred Polymer: The polymer has formula (I):R1, R2 = monomer, oligomer, or polymer group which contains hydrogen atom, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy and others;Y = -Ar-, -Z-, -Z-Ar- or -Ar-Z-Ar-;Z = -O-, -S- and others;Ar = phenyl, naphthalene and others;X = sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid or sulfonimide group;n = integer equal to or larger than 1; andm, l = integer equal to or larger than 0.An ion conductive polymer film contains the novel polymer and a fuel cell contains the ion conductive polymer film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fillers: Suitable fillers include carbons, e.g. carbon black, graphite or carbon fibers, or metals in the form of powders, colloids or whiskers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: Preferred polymers are polyolefins, polystyrenes, polydienes, polyvinyl ethers, poly(N-vinyl) compounds and poly(meth)acrylic esters with 4-12C alcohol groups. Suitable fillers include polypyrrole, polythiophene and polyaniline.Preferred Composition: The polymer to filler ratio is 1:10 to 10:1 (1:2 to 2:1). The mixture is in the form of a dispersion in aqueous or organic solvent. It may also contain nonionic emulsifier (0.1-10, preferably 0.3-5 wt.% with respect to total solids). EXAMPLE - A 20% aqueous solution (100 parts weight) of a vinylpyrrolidone/vinylimidazole 1:1 copolymer (molecular weight 125000) was treated with Ensaco (RTM; conductive carbon black; 20 parts weight) and dispersed (10 minutes at 1000 rpm) with addition of 5% aqueous ammonia (1 part weight). The dispersion was applied to a copper foil in a thickness of 100 microns and dried (60 minutes at 100degreesC), giving a firmly adhering coating. This was resistant to scratching and cracking and showed no signs of corrosion after immersion for 1 hour at 20degreesC in a 10% aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, tartaric acid or hydrochloric acid. If the dispersion was applied to a polyester film and dried in the same way, its electrical conductivity (4-point method) was 10-2 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A polyester layer made from thin fibers is built into the rear side of the intermediate chambers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Copolymer: The weight ratio of VDF:HFP in the VDF/HFP copolymer is 95:5-70:30, preferably 93:7-80:20. The copolymer is made insoluble in the electrolyte by cross-linking the binders with a cross-linking agent of 0.5-20 (preferably 1-10) pbw diamine/100 pbw VDF/HFP copolymer.Preferred Method: The electrochemical cell is made by laminating the collectors, electrodes and separator, optionally cutting the laminate to obtain desired shape, and heat treating the laminate for 10-20 minutes to effect the cross-linking reaction. The cross-linking is effected by heating at 120-220 degrees C, preferably 120-160 degrees C. The binders are plasticized with a plasticizer,    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The cross-linking agent is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or branched diamine e.g. 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,5-pentanediamine and/or trimethyl hexane diamine. The electrolyte contains an organic carbonate such as dimethyl carbonate or gamma-butyrolactone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ion: The alkaline ion is lithium ion. EXAMPLE - A cell was formed by a laminate made of two separator films having 8 pbw fumed silica, 13 pbw polycarbonate, 10 pbw Kynarflex 2801 (RTM), 70 pbw acetone, 0.2 pbw trimethyl hexane diamine; one anodic (i.e. negative) film having 12 pbw graphite powder, 1.5 pbw carbon black and 0.1 pbw diamine; and two cathodic (i.e. positive) films having 44 pbw lithium cobalt oxide powder, 9 pbw polycarbonate, 3 pbw carbon black, 5 pbw Kynarflex 2801 (RTM) and 0.1 pbw diamine. The final laminate was heated to 125 degrees C, impregnated by lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) in a mixture of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate and sealed in a bag. The use of the cross-linking agent made the binder of the separator and electrodes insoluble in the electrolyte and reduced the fading of the capacity of the cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The water-repelling component contains silicon or silicon-containing material, fluorinated polymers or materials containing fluorinated polymers, epoxy resin or materials containing epoxy resin, phenol resin or materials containing phenol resin, acrylic resin or materials containing acrylic resin, PUR adhesive materials or materials containing PUR materials or artificial resin/shellac mixture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is made from Pt, Ru, Ir, Rh, Pd, Mo or their alloys. The oxidation-resistant material is made from tungsten oxide, zirconium oxide, niobium oxide or tantalum oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The non-electrolytic material is a fluorine-containing resin, especially a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The flexible graphite sheet is rendered relatively void free by calendaring the sheet to a density of 1.1 g/cc, preferably 1.6 g/cc prior to embossing and subjected to pressure to provide selected void condition. The sheet is impregnated with resin such that the resin is present at a level of 5% or more in the sheet. The sheet is passed between landing and embossed elements, embossed and the resin is cured. The landing element is separated from the channel floors by a distance which is equal to the sum of height of walls and the desired thickness of the embossed graphite sheet at the location of sheet floors. The landing element comprises a pattern which is sized and shaped so as to compensate for differing cross-sectional areas of the embossed sheet.Preferred Resin: The resin comprises thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, preferably acrylic based resin system, epoxy based resin system or phenolic based resin system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Materials: The filter element has a chemical filter portion with an adsorbent material for removing chemical contaminants from the dirty air. The adsorbent material is selected from the group comprising activated carbon, impregnated carbon, activated carbon fibers, ion-exchange resin, ion-exchange fibers, alumina, activated alumina, molecular sieves, and silica. The adsorbent material removes acidic contaminant such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride, and volatile and non-volatile acids and basic contaminant such as ammonia, amines, amides, sodium hydroxides, lithium hydroxides, potassium hydroxides volatile and non-volatile organic bases. The particulate filter portion which is positioned radially adjacent to the sound suppression element, is configured to provide straight through flow.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: Before the addition of polymer, an oxidized lead powder, a water, and a sulfuric are mixed and reacted in a closed reactor to produce a paste comprising basic lead sulfate crystals. The paste is stored in reservoir until ready for pasting. The mixing and reacting may be carried out in at least 70 degrees C to produce tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals. The mixing and reacting may also be carried out at ambient temperature up to 80 degrees C to produce tribasic lead sulfate crystals. A surfactant is added to the paste. The mixing, reacting, and adding are carried out in a closed mixing apparatus having double walled jacket for controlling the temperature within the reactor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The paste comprises tetrabasic lead sulfate crystals having an average width of 2-4 microm for forming a positive battery plate, and tribasic lead sulfate crystals for forming a negative battery plate. The surfactant is a lignosulfonate.Preferred Compositions: The paste comprises 15-50 wt.% sulfate and 20 (preferably 10-20) wt.% red lead.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer is a hydrophobic polymer, which can be polyolefins, polyvinylchlorides, polyacrylonitriles or polyesters. The polymer can also be hydrophilic polymer, which can be polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene oxide, polymaleic acid or polystyrenesulfonic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Salt: The salt consists of formula (III) or formula (IV).R1, R2 = alkyl;X1, X2 = cation portion;L1, L2 = alkylene-containing divalent linkage group;Y1, Y2 = anion portion-containing substituent;R3 = optionally substituted alkyl; andn = 3 or higher. Preferred Definitions:    R1, R2 = 1-3C alkyl;    X1, X2 = lithium ion;    L1, L2 = divalent linkage group of -(CH2)3-, or -(CH2)3OCH2CH2-;    Y1, Y2 = anion portion-containing substituent of formula R5SO2N-- (V) or formula R5SO2N-SO2- (VI);    R5 = 1-3C alkyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The non aqueous-electrolyte secondary battery contains an electrolyte and the melamine and/or melamine derivative is added to the electrolyte. The electrolyte contains a mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate and a low-viscosity solvent. The positive electrode active material of the battery is spinel type lithium manganate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Plate: The protrusions comprise sealing features (7,8,9). The plate may includes protrusions or indentations that engage complementary features on an adjacent plate. The plate comprises at least one electrically conductive insert in a non-conductive frame, in which fluid manifolds are formed. The flow field (6) is branched.Preferred Stack: The plates are welded by ultrasonic welding. At least one membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched between the panels. The engaging features may be on the membrane electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The plate is made of material that may be welded, preferably an electrically conductive polymer comprising a polymer matrix, a conductive filler and carbon nanofibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: An opaque PUR may be used as a separate rear face of the panel or alternatively another plastic such as polycarbonate is used.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The opaque PUR contains either chalk, glass platelets and/or silicates.The rear side of the panel may alternatively be made from either glass or ceramic. EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT of the solar panel, the solar cells (3) are completely embedded in the PUR (1). In other cases the rear side is a separate item. The front side has a textured surface and the rear side may be shaped to form cooling ribs. Methods of manufacture involve: a) fixing solar cells to the rear side of the panel and then applying the transparent PUR front side or b) thermoforming a plastic or composite plastic sheet together with the solar cells to form a rear side before injecting or casting on the front side PUR.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The polymer matrix is poly fluorinated vinylidene polymer. The ion conductive material is support electrolyte and a solvent containing phosphate. The amount of phosphate is 50-100 wt.% based on the all of solvent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The blank is formed from polystyrene foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - (A) is a curing monomer (A-1) which has 4 or more reactive functional groups in one molecule, and a reactive group equivalent of 150 or less. The reactive group is a (meth)aryclic group. (A-1) is a methacrylate obtained by reacting 1 mole of multi-valent alcohol with 1-5 mole of caprolactone. (A-1) is selected from caprolactone modified tetra(meth)acrylate of (di)pentaerythritol, or similarly modified tetra(meth)acrylate of ditrimethylolpropane, or similarly modified hexa(meth)acrylate of dipentaerythritol. (A) can be (A-2) which contains ether bonding in the main chain, ethylenically unsaturated double bonds, and an ethylenically unsaturated double bond equivalent of 300 or less. (A-2) is obtained by reacting the OH of a compound (A-2-1) with the epoxy group of another compound (A-2-2). (A) can also be (A-3) a polymer having ethylenically unsaturated double bonds and 6C or less aliphatic chains on the side chains. The composition further contains a photo-polymerisation initiator having a max. light absorption coefficient of 50 or higher at a wavelength of 350-450nm. A thermal polymerisation initiator having a temperature of 10degreesC when the half time is 10 hours.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - (C) is alkali metal salt, quaternary ammonium salt, quaternary phosphonium or transition metal salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The ion-exchange membrane superposes at least a portion of the sealing region. The preformed sheet is an electrically conductive mesh. The mesh contains an electrically conductive filler in the active region or a metal. The mesh is an electrical insulator. The fluid-impermeable sheet material is a graphite foil.Preferred Method: The sheet material is rendered fluid-permeable by perforating the sheet material in the active region. The fluid distribution layer is electrically insulated in the sealing region. At least one channel is formed in the major planar surfaces of the fluid distribution layer. The channel traverses the active region. It is adapted to direct a fluid reactant stream in contact with the layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The metal is nickel, stainless steel, niobium, or titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The mesh consists of a polymeric material, preferably polyethylene, polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Ceramic fiber particles are mixed with the intercalated particles prior to the exfoliation. They have a length of 0.15-1.5 mm, and are stable at up to 2000 degrees F. The intercalated particles are exfoliated by exposing them to an open fire (300) at 700-1000 degrees C. Further, a surface of the flexible sheet is mechanically deformed to provide a series of repeating patterns. Such repeating patterns may also be provided by removing material from the flexible sheet. Solvent is partially vaporized from the liquid resin prior to the deformation of the surface of the flexible sheet. The exfoliated particles are continuously compressed with a converging press, preferably with belts (457, 458) converging from 25 inches to 0.15 inch and in a space of 8-12 feet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Product: The flexible sheet has a thickness of 0.003-1.0 inch and a density of 5-125 lbs/ft3. It comprises compressed exfoliated graphite particles in an omnidirectional orientation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The hydrophobic film is made of polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin or an olefin-type resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The partition material is comprised of a refractive material, and is thicker than the separator. The partition material further contains an insulator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The porous structure and/or the catalytically active substance is deposited in the form of nano-granular particles having a diameter of 1-100 mum. The catalytically active substance is a transition metal or a transition metal compound. The support structure is produced from metal compounds, e.g. metal oxides or metal hydrides. The substrate is a monolith or grid, wire braid, steel wool, powder, activated charcoal, carbon nanotubes or balls having a diameter of 100 nm to 1 cm, especially a metallic or ceramic substrate, e.g. aluminum oxide or cordierite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The aqueous metal hydride comprises sodium borohydride. The catalyst is a ruthenium catalyst.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The reactor further comprises a hydrophobic membrane (46) lining an interior surface of the reactor. The hydrophobic membrane comprising Goretex or Celgard is permeable to hydrogen gas produced in the reactor. A first hydrophilic membrane comprising a filter screen (42, 44) is at the outlet of the reactor. It prevents the passage of hydrogen gas. A second hydrophilic membrane at the inlet of the reactor prevents the passage of hydrogen gas. A hydrogen gas collection chamber (48) is disposed about the reactor for receiving hydrogen gas passing through the hydrophobic membrane. The hydrogen gas collection chamber provides hydrogen to a fuel cell. The catalyst is disposed in a distribution structure for maintaining spacing of catalyst particles. The distribution structure comprises a catalyst-plated high surface area screen, mesh strips or fibrous material. It may also comprise a multi-cell screen for limiting movement of the catalyst particles. The electrolyte comprises a proton exchange membrane (PEM). The hydrogen reactor temperature does not exceed the boiling point of the aqueous metal hydride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The filter screen is stainless steel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The ceramic structure is a monolithic three-dimensional multi-layer ceramic structure comprising thin ceramic layers (14) that provide for a closed heating zone when co-fired.A co-fired porous ceramic support layer may be formed within the ceramic cavity.The porous ceramic support layer has a real surface area greater than the geometric surface area of the ceramic cavity.The catalyst material is formed on the surfaces of the porous ceramic material prior to firing. It is entrapped within voids formed in the porous ceramic material prior to firing.The ceramic structures formed within the ceramic cavity define channels.The porous ceramic support layer is formed on a surface of the channels.A temperature sensor (32) provides feedback control of a feed rate of the input fuel and air.The fuel reformer further includes a fuel vaporization zone.The chemical reactor further includes an air inlet (30) for providing oxygen for the oxidation of the fuel and a fuel inlet (28) to provide fuel to the chemical reactor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The porous ceramic material is a high surface area support formed of alumina (Al2O3) or zirconia (ZrO2).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The catalyst material is a hydrated metal salt, an active metal, an active metal oxide, an active metal oxychloride, an active metal oxynitride, or a combination of active metal and active metal oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The chemical reactor is chemical combustion heater or steam reformer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The porous ceramic support layer is formed of a porous ceramic material which is a high surface area support, formed of alumina, silica, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, cerium dioxide, lanthanum oxide, or combination of at least two of these high surface area supports.Preferred Component: The ceramic structure is a monolithic three-dimensional multi-layer ceramic structure. It comprises ceramic layers (14) and porous ceramic support layer (18), assembled and co-fired to provide for a closed reaction zone.A porous ceramic felt is positioned within the ceramic cavity and has entrapped catalyst material. It is defined by (non-)woven fibers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The catalyst material (20) is made of a hydrated metal salt, an active metal, an active metal oxide, an active metal oxychloride, and/or an active metal oxynitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Component: The fuel reforming system further comprises a raw fuel flow rate adjusting mechanism which can adjust the raw fuel flow rate to the reformer, and a gas flow rate adjusting mechanism which can adjust the oxygen-gas containing flow rate to the reformer.The reformer comprises a raw fuel inlet for supplying the raw fuel, a gas inlet for supplying the oxygen-containing gas used in the partial oxidation reaction, a catalyst which produces the hydrogen-containing reformate gas by performing the reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reaction using the oxygen-containing gas and raw fuel, a gas outlet which discharges the produced reformate gas, and a middle gas inlet for supplying the oxygen-containing gas between the gas inlet and the gas outlet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Components: The base metal comprises a cladding on a substrate. It comprises nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), or cobalt. The chromium nitride comprises dichromium nitride (Cr2N). It is thermally formed. Preferred Compositions: The component further comprises 3-20% cobalt, 3-20% copper, 3-20% iron, 3-20% manganese (Mn), 3-20% nickel, or 3-20% molybdenum (Mo); up to 1% of hafnium, zirconium, ytterbium, lanthanum or cerium; and up to 10% of niobium, titanium, vanadium, or zirconium. The component further comprises a composition consisting of 50% chromium (Cr), balance Ni; 42% Cr, 5% Mn, balance Ni; 42% Cr, 5% Mo, balance Ni; or 42% Cr, 10% Fe, balance Ni.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The method further includes flowing portion of vent stream from anode and vent stream from cathode to the reformer reactor operating in the regeneration step to produce vent gas, and feeding the vent gas to the HRSG. The anode and cathode vent streams are passed through the condenser before being received by the reformer reactor in the regeneration step. A remainder of the anode vent stream is fed to an auxiliary burner associated with the HRSG to produce additional heat to generate steam. The reformate stream feeding into the shift reactor is mixed with steam from the HRSG, and liquid water from an external source to increase the steam content and to reduce the temperature of the reformate stream. Preferred Components: The reformate stream comprises a mixture of hydrogen, CO, steam and hydrocarbons.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The integrated heat exchanger enables transfer of heat from a product gas output by respective reformer reactors to a feed gas to the respective reformer reactor. It reduces the temperature of the product gas from 700-1000degreesC to 200-700degreesC, thus recovering heat from the product gas. The shift reactor reduces the concentration of CO in the reformate stream to less than 2%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fuel comprises natural gas, propane, gasoline, diesel, naphtha, or other hydrocarbon based fuels and landfill gas, biogas or other bio-fuels.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The protective/stiffening layer comprises a layer of polymer consisting a material from polyester, polyimide, epoxy, or polycyanoacrylate. It comprises a strip of polymer. The adhesive layer comprises a material from silicon rubber or polycyanoacrylate.Preferred Material: The protective/stiffening layer is a polymer deposited or sprayed on the side walls. It is epoxy or polycyanoacrylate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: A temperature of the process chamber is held above the condensation temperature of the component. The volume of the process chamber is varied by reducing the volume prior to or during the condensing step. The method further comprises cycling. The cycles deposit a material(s) chemically distinct from the component.Preferred Component: The solid phase film comprises an electrolyte for a battery.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The substrate is metallic.Preferred Component: The solid phase film comprises oxide, boride, sulfide, or fluoride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The substrate may comprise a ceramic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The trailing section of the fill tube terminates in a trailing surface, and the trailing surface extends into the internal volume a distance of less than 2.03 mm relative to a plane of the inner face of the cover at the fillport through hole. The extension of the trailing surface relative to a plane of the inner face at the fillport through hole is approximately 0.381 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The conductive film has the alkali diffusion prevention region on a side adjacent to the semiconductor layer. The alkali diffusion region includes a transparent metal film.Preferred Parameters: The alkali diffusion region has a lower crystallinity than other regions of the conductive film. It is amorphous. The metal film has a thickness of up to 100 Angstrom . The alkali diffusion prevention region has a thickness of not more than 20 Angstrom . A crystallization ratio in the alkali diffusion region is 0-90, preferably 0-10%. The first water partial pressure is not less than 5x10-4-not more than 5x10-3 Pa.Preferred Materials: The alkali diffusion region includes silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride. The semiconductor layer includes a material consisting of a-silicon:hydrogen (a-Si:H), a-silicon carbide:H (a-SiC-H), a-silicon germanide:H (a-SiGe-H), muc-Si:H, muc-SiC:H, or muc-SiGe:H.Preferred Method: After forming the first layer, a heat treatment is performed on the first layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The first device and the second device are adapted to fold to at least an open and a collapsed position. The collapsed position comprises an inwardly folded position or an outwardly folded position. An edge stiffener is at an edge of at least one device. It is adapted to situate pair(s) of devices. A hinge connects the first device and the second device. It consists of a conventional hinge, a conventional hinge with integrated torsion spring, a polyimide fold, or a carpenter hinge. The hinge is adapted to situate pair(s) of the devices in an open position. It is adapted to provide deployment force to the array. The device may be flexible or rigid. The arrangement comprises a grid-like array of devices. A third brace is hingedly attached to a brace and to a device. It comprises foldable portion(s). An electrostatic discharge layer covers at least a portion of the array of devices and braces.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The hinge comprises a conventional hinge, a conventional hinge with integrated torsion spring, a polyimide fold, or a carpenter hinge.
Preferred Definition: In (I),    R1, R2, R3, and R4 = ethyl group, isopropyl group, carboxyl group, or carboxyl ester.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The pyridine compound is 4,4',4'',4'''-tetraethyl-(2,2';6',2''6'',2''') quaterpyridine, 4,4',4'',4'''-tetraisopropyl (2,2';6'2'';6''2''')quarterpyridine, (2,2';6',2'';6'',2''')quaterpyridine-4,4',4'',4'''-tetracarboxylic acid, or (2,2';6',2'';6'',2''')quaterpyridine-4,4',4'',4'''-tetracarboxylic acid tetra ester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The catalyst material comprises 7-10 weight% (wt.%) of a catalyst, 60-70 wt.% of perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid, 15-20 wt.% of PTFE and an electrically-conductive carbon material. Preferred Process: Alternatively, a gas, such as inert gas, air or nitrogen, is added to the sonicated new mixture liquid solution to cause bubbles to promote formation of a foam-type catalyst material, or the catalyst material is thermally quenched from a high temperature to a low temperature, to activate the catalyst material. The thermal quenching is performed in a liquid nitrogen to decrease the temperature from an ambient temperature to 77 Kelvin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contained in the catalyst material comprises 10-90 wt.% of platinum, 90-10 wt.% of ruthenium, zirconium dioxide and zeolite containing iridium, osmium and tungsten. Preferred Substance: The insoluble substance is a surface-active substance which prevents particle agglomeration, and is volatilized at high temperature. The surface-active substance is a non-ionic surfactant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The two reformate streams are supplied to the first and second hydrogen separators, respectively or to the same hydrogen separator.The primary and secondary fuel processing reactors are steam reformers, partial oxidation reformers, catalytic partial oxidation reformers, autothermal reformers, or plasma reformers.The primary and secondary processing reactors can also be shift reactors.The feed stream comprises synthesis gas, or a reformate stream from a high-temperature reformer.The first and second hydrogen separators comprise membranes.The membranes are palladium (alloy), platinum (alloy), titanium alloy, ceramic, zeolite molecular sieve, carbon molecular sieve, and/or inorganic poly-acid.The membranes preferably comprise palladium (alloy).The membranes are supported.The feed stream is gasoline, diesel, natural gas, ethane, butane, light distillates, dimethyl ether, methanol, ethanol, propane, naphtha, and/or kerosene.The fuel is preferably methanol.The method also comprises supplying water vapor or oxidant to the primary and secondary fuel processing reactors.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen flow circuit also includes reformer and carbon monoxide removal device with respective catalysts including rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, palladium and platinum, supported by alumina, silica, silica alumina, zirconia, titania and ceria.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The substrate is aluminum substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Hydrogen occluding material contains a porous carbon material having specific surface area of 1000 m2/g or more.The hydrogen occluding material contains 5-50 weight% of porous carbon material, and a binder which binds the porous carbon material and hydrogen occlusion alloy.The hydrogen occluding material is obtained by carrying out high pressure compression processing.Preferred Alloy: The hydrogen occlusion alloy is titanium type alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The crystalline phosphoric acid metallic salt comprises tripolyphosphoric acid dihydrogen aluminum, sesqui aluminum phosphate and/or alpha-zirconium phosphate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The organic molecule is chosen from hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, pyrogallol or 1,2,4-benzene triol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particle: The hexaboride particle is lanthanum boride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The hydrogen occlusion material has hydrogen termination structure and occludes 0.5 weight% or more of hydrogen at room temperature under hydrogen pressure of 10 MPa. The material has powder and/or flake shape, and contains 3-60 atomic% of combined water ingredient. The abundance ratio of sp2 carbon and sp3 carbon of the hydrogen occlusion material is 0-1. Preferred Method: The hydrogen occlusion material is obtained by plasma-chemical vapor deposition method or thermal decomposition polymerization method.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The flexible sheet is made of polyimide or fluororesin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The metal thin film of the flexible sheet, is made of iron, nickel, copper or corresponding alloys.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ultraviolet Absorber: The UV absorber is a benzophenone, benzotriazole, salicylate, acrylonitrile, metallic complex or ultrafine titanium dioxide or zinc oxide system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Adhesive agent is made from organic resin material such as butyral resin, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, hexylene glycol, oxylene glycol, glycerol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrochemical cell comprises a porous cathode, a gas impermeable ion conducting electrolyte, and a porous anode. It further comprises a porous metal support. The porous cathode of the cell is dimensioned to support an electrolyte layer and an anode layer. The electrolyte of the cell supports cathode and anode layers. An electrically conducting seal is provided between the cell and interconnect. Ferrules are configured to electrically couple with anode contact end of the cell and cathode contact end of another cell.Preferred Property: The cathode comprises a porous support with a thickness of approximately 100 to approximately 3000, preferably approximately 150 to approximately 2000 microns. The electrolyte comprises a thin film of electrolyte with a thickness of approximately 1 to approximately 50 microns applied to the cathode support. The anode has a thickness of approximately 150 to approximately 300 microns applied to the electrolyte layer. It comprises a porous support with a thickness of approximately 250 to approximately 2500 microns. The electrochemical cells are 1-10 cm in length.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The cathode comprises a material from LSM (sic), LSC (sic), LSF (sic), or lithium strontium cobalt ferrite. The electrolyte comprises a material from doped zirconia, doped ceria, or doped lanthanum gallate. The anode comprises a material from nickel-yttrium silicon zirconia or NI-CGO (sic). The interconnects comprise a metal sheet. The seal comprises braze, weld, ceramic, glass ceramic, ceramic-metal composite, or a metal. The ferrules comprise NI, copper, gold, or stainless steel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell also includes controlling mechanism for controlling distance between the cathode and anode compartments. Graphite felt or graphite felt coated with metal is used as an electrode of the cathode compartment. Graphite felt coated with platinum can be used as an electrode of the cathode compartment. A buffer solution is used in the anode compartment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The metallic material is deposited on the peripheral portion of the frame. It forms the eutectic with the separator. A silicon nitride film (25) is formed at least on the peripheral portion of one of the frame and separator such that the metallic material is deposited on the silicon nitride film. The radiation energy is a laser beam, preferably a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser beam.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Both of the separator and the frame are made of a silicon substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The metallic material comprises gold, copper and/or aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: At least one projection (30) is provided in the recess of each separator (11, 12). The first electroconductive film constitutes at least part of a top surface of the projection. Each separator is provided with the recesses so that fuel cells are arranged on a common plane. Third electroconductive films corresponding to the fuel cells are formed on the second separator surface. The assembly comprises electrical connection member(s) for contacting the third films on the second surface of the separator to electrically connect the fuel cells. Each through-hole is inclined so that it diverges from the first separator surface, and formed in the projection. It is provided in a bottom of the recess.At least part of the first film extends along the bottom of the recess to contact the second film formed on the sidewall of the through-hole provided in the bottom of the recess. The substrate is made of semiconductor materials. An insulating film is formed between the first film and first separator surface, second film and sidewall of the through-hole, and the third film and second separator surface. An electroconductive diffusion layer is formed between the separators and catalyst electrode layer.Preferred Method: Each separator is formed by etching a substrate made of an inorganic material. The electroconductive films are formed by depositing a metallic material on the separators by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, spin coating, sputtering, or screen-printing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Compositions: The processed fuel contains 1, preferably 0.1 ppm by volume sulfur. It is more preferably free of sulfur. Preferred Materials: The processed fuel is consisting of bioethanol, bio-diesel, rape seed oil, rape seed methyl ester, canola oil, canola methyl ester, corn oil, hemp oil, switch grass oil, fatty acid methyl esters, linseed oil, linseed methyl ester, sunflower oil, sunflower oil methyl ester, soybean oil, palmitic acid, lauric acid, stearic acid, and/or linoleic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The semiconducting polymer is consisting of poly(p-phenylene-vinylene) derivatives, polyfluorene derivatives, or polythiophene derivatives. The polyphenylene-vinylene derivative is consisting of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene); poly(2-butoxy,5-2'-ethyl-hexyloxy-p-phenylene vinylene) or poly(2,5-bis-cheolestranoxy-1,4-phenylene vinylene), preferably poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene). The polyfluorene derivative is consisting of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene); poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole); or poly(9,9'-dioctyolfluorene-co-bis-N,N'-(4-butylphenyl)-bis-N,N'-phenyl -1,4-phenylenediamine). The polythiophene derivative is consisting of poly(3-alkylthiophene); poly(3-(4-octyl-phenyl)-2,2-bithiophene; or poly(3-(4'-(1,4,7-trioxaoctyl)thiophene). The n-type electron is consisting of C60, cyano-poly(p-phenylene-vinylene), or carbon nanotubes, preferably C60. The p-type polymer is consisting of poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The ionic electrolyte is consisting of lithium trifluoromethyl sulfate, lithium hexafluoro phosphide, lithium hexafluoro arsenide, lithium hexafluoro lead, lithium perchlorate, lithium triflate, or lithium trifluoromethyl sulfonimide, preferably lithium trifluoromethyl sulfate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The ion conductive film is an ion conductive film containing plasticizer, and a substance showing reversible electrochemical oxidation reduction characteristics in a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix is a copolymer of fluorinated vinylidene and hexafluoropropylene and acrylic acid. The plasticizer is a salt melting a room temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Component: Temperature sensor(s) is included for providing feedback control of a feed rate of the input fuel and air (24).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst is an active metal, an active metal oxide, a metal oxynitride, and/or a metal oxychloride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: A porous ceramic felt is within the ceramic cavity and has entrapped catalyst. It is defined by (non-)woven fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The porous semiconductor contains titanium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The carbon material layer comprises carbon nanotubes, fibers or nanohorns, or other carbon material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The base material layer contains 60-80 weight% of inorganic oxide particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Thermoplastic or thermosetting resin material is used in the base material layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The fuel cell has sealed insulating material layers (7, 8) to prevent premature consumption.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The crucible is coated with silicon nitride after being lined with the quartz fibrous tissue. Quartz fibers are used in the production of the quartz fibrous tissue. The silicon nitride layer is applied in the form of an alcohol/silicon nitride powder using cathode sputtering.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: A reusable mold is used to produce the layers. Different layers of different ceramic materials, e.g. of quartz sand and aluminum oxide, are used to produce the layers. The first layer is made from silicon nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The bonding agent is an acrylate rubber. The non-stick coating is a PTFE and/or a modified PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Suitable film precursor materials contain binders (especially rubbers, preferably acrylate rubbers) in amounts of ca. 2-30 (preferably 3-5) wt%, plus solvent (ester, ketone and/or alcohol), plasticiser (phthalate ester, preferably dioctyl and/or dibutyl phthalate) and electrically-conductive material (preferably metallic material).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: Film (108) is formed by extrusion, compression moulding, casting, spreading and/or screen printing, and is then combined with the substrate (110) by static pressing or calendering. After drying layer (108), the binder is removed by heating and the layer is sintered, preferably under vacuum at a temperature of at least 800degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Substrates: Knitted, woven or braided metal fabric, or non-woven metal fabric.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The guiding frame is made from a resistance material and has a defined geometric shape. An additional optical heater for melting the material in the crucible is arranged above the induction coil.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The device comprises sunlight-transmitting plate and heat-conducting substrate (5). The substrate has channels (6) in which is a heat-transferring medium. A layer of photovoltaic units is between the VAREM layer and the sunlight-transmitting plate. The device further comprises a second sunlight-transmitting plate and a thermally insulating carrier as the carrier plate. The sunlight-transmitting plate transmits infrared radiation.Preferred Materials: The VAREM layer is built up of metal alloy, solid electrolyte (zirconium oxide or yttrium-calcium fluoride), storage electrode, top electrode, and hydrogen-impermeable layer (zirconium oxide or yttrium oxide).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The metal alloy comprises an alloy of magnesium and a transition metal, such as nickel, cobalt, and iron. The storage and top electrodes form a unit obtained from transition metals, such as vanadium, niobium, tantalum, and palladium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The noble metal is platinum, gold, palladium, rhodium and/or ruthenium. The binder is an organic and/or inorganic binder, or an organic-inorganic binder. The inorganic binder contains a silica gel as a main component.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The organic binder is a thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, a normal temperature-curing resin, a UV-curing resin and/or an electron-beam-curing resin. EXAMPLE - A silver particle colloidal dispersion is formed by adding a mixed liquid of 23% ferrous sulfate aqueous solution (390 g) and a 37.5% Na citrate aqueous solution (80 g) to a 9% silver nitrate aqueous solution (330 g), filtering and washing the precipitate, and adding pure water. To 600 g of this dispersion, hydrazine mono-hydrate 1% aqueous solution (80 g) is added and stirred. Next, a mixed solution of KAu(OH)4 solution (4800 g) and 1% polymer dispersant aqueous solution (2 g) is added, to form the noble metal-coated silver particle colloidal solution. After desalting this solution, the solution is concentrated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A sidewall thin film layer is formed on the sidewall. A barrier layer is formed between the thin film layer of the anode and cathode surfaces. The barrier layer prevents diffusion of methanol into the electrolyte body.Preferred Methods: The thin film layers are formed by electrodeposition.Preferred Properties: The thin film layers are 2-10 atomic layers in thickness.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The catalyst layer comprises platinum, palladium, ruthenium, iridium, osmium, nickel, titanium, gold, silver, their alloys, or their oxides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Methods: The method includes adjusting flow rate to produce a thickness less than 0.03, preferably 0.008 inch, adjusting the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide to a ratio greater than 1.0, and adjusting flow rate and inlet temperature to produce a temperature on the catalytic surface of 300-450 degrees C.Preferred Components: The catalytic surface comprises platinum, wash coat or alumina. The surface is stabilized with a stabilizer including lanthanum. The catalytic reactor comprises channels. A channel is defined by substrate and another channel is defined by another substrate. The gas stream comprises carbon dioxide. The channel has length less than 0.45 inch.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cartridge further comprises a second port through which the cartridge may be refilled. It includes mechanism for interrupting the flow of fuel from the fuel delivery component.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The fuel delivery component is composed of a foam-based material, an expanded polymer, or a felted metal material. The flow interrupting mechanism comprises Kapton (RTM: Polyimide '4' film from pyromellitic anhydride) tape covering the contact point on the hydrophilic foam component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent is tetrahydrofuran, toluene, chloroform, chlorobenzene, xylene, dichloromethane, mesitylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 2-chloronaphthalene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene and/or 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The substrate is flexible or rigid, transparent or opaque, reflective, and planar in shape. The electrode comprises a metallic or non metallic conductor. The light harvesting rods are oriented perpendicular to electrode (A1) and are intrinsic rectifiers of excited state energy and holes, and have a length of 500 nm or less. The electrolyte is aqueous, non-aqueous or polymer electrolyte comprising mobile charge carrier and solid. The solar cell is devoid of liquid in the space between the electrodes. Preferred Definitions:    at least one of X1-Xm+1 = chlorins, bacteriochlorins or isobacteriochlorins and comprises porphyrinic macromolecules, where at least one of X2-Xm+1 comprises trans meso-linked porphyrinic macromolecules and trans-beta-linked porphyrinic macromolecules;    m in formula (I) = 2-49;    Ar, Ar1, Ar2 = benzene, thiophene, furan, pyrrole, pyridine, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthracene, biphenyl, indene, quinoline, pyridazine, pyrimidine, fluorine or pyrazine;    Y2,Y5 = H or alkyl;    Y3,Y4 = H, halo, ethynyl, dialkyl boronate or trialkyl tin; and    Y6 = alkyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The composite metal particles have a particle diameter of 1-20 nm. The composite metal particles contains at least two transition metals.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The proton conductive film has volume resistivity of 1-10 power 6 ohm.cm. The metal microparticle has average particle diameter of 0.5-20 nm. The porous particle has average particle diameter of 5-1000 nm.Preferred Microparticle: The metal microparticle is metal microparticle and/or composite metal microparticle chosen from palladium, platinum, ruthenium, silver, gold, nickel, copper, tin and/or zinc.Preferred Porous Particle: The porous particle is zirconium oxide, silicon oxide, titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide-aluminum oxide, tin oxide, zeolite, activated carbon, carbon nanotube, titanium nanotube, silica nanotube and/or fullerene.Preferred Matrix Component: The matrix formation component consists of inorganic oxide chosen from zirconium oxide, silicon oxide, titanium oxide and/or aluminum oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The semiconductor layer comprises p-semiconductor containing indium and/or gallium, selenium and/or sulfur, and copper.Preferred Method: The multilayer film is heat treated in an atmosphere comprising nitrogen gas, argon gas and/or oxygen gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Contacts (1, 8) comprise metal, conductive oxide, especially indium tin dioxide (ITO) or ZnO:Al.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The mixed layers comprise a mixture of a phthalocyanine and a (substituted)fullerene or derivative. The phthalocyanine is doped with the organic acceptor tetrafluorotetracyanodimethane (F4-TCNQ).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: Contacts may comprises a conductive polymer, especially polyethylenethioxythiophene (PEDOT) : polystyrenesulfonate (PSS).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The controller raises, in stages, the temperature of the burnt gas produced by the burner according to the elapsed time from the beginning of the startup processing. It raises the temperature of the burnt gas produced by the burner to an operating temperature, first, of the CO oxidizer, and then of the reforming reactor. It raises the temperature of the burnt gas produced by the burner by decreasing the ratio of the air to the fuel supplied to the burner. The fuel reforming system further comprises an air amount adjuster (5, 13, 14), which adjusts an air amount supplied to the burner; and a fuel amount adjuster (11), which adjusts a fuel amount supplied to the burner, the controller further functioning to raise the temperature of the burnt gas produced by the burner by controlling the air amount adjuster to fix the air amount supplied to the burner, and controlling the fuel amount adjuster so that the fuel amount supplied to the burner increases. It further comprises a supply device, which controls supply of the burnt gas discharged by the CO oxidizer to the fuel cell, and the controller further controls the supply device so that burnt gas discharged by the CO oxidizer is supplied to the fuel cell. The CO oxidizer comprises a shift reactor, which decreases the CO concentration by a shift reaction, and a preferential oxidation reactor which decreases the CO concentration by a preferential oxidation reaction, and the controller further raises the temperature of the burnt gas produced by the burner so that the temperature of the burnt gas reaches operating temperatures of the preferential oxidation reactor, shift reactor and reforming reactor in a sequence starting from the lowest temperature of the three reactors.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Opening(s) (34) is formed through the two graphite layers and the sheet metal layer to function as a conduit through the fuel cell, and the two layers of expanded graphite are contiguous within the opening to avoid exposure of the sheet metal layer within the opening. Flow-directing features include walled structures separating channels (18), and the channels formed in one of the graphite layers are aligned with the walled structures of the other of the graphite layers so that the channels can be compressed toward the walled structures to reduce a thickness of the plate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The sheet metal layer is made of corrosion-resistant electrically conductive metals from stainless steel, titanium or its alloy, or metal nitrides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substance comprises adsorbent particles and includes: palm-stem activated carbon, a wood activated carbon, petroleum pitch spherical activated carbon, pellet-molded activated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, activated clay, a surfactant, positive or negative ion exchange resin or fiber, chelating resin, chelate compound, an inorganic positive or a negative-ion absorbent, inorganic synthetic-chemical deodorant, a porous adsorbent carrying a compound for chemically decomposing and removing gas components by neutralization, and/or a porous adsorbent carrying an oxidation or reduction catalyst comprising noble or base metals or carrying or coated with an optically excited catalyst such as titanium oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The three-dimensional structure is polyurethane foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte is a gel-like or solid electrolyte containing a solvent in an electrolyte composition. The electrolyte composition is a gel-like electrolyte containing an ionic liquid. The electrolyte composition contains a redox pair. The redox pair is a combination of a halogen ion and a halogen compound ion. The halogen element is iodine. EXAMPLE - A TiO2 paste is obtained from titanium isopropoxide and used to form a semiconductor layer on a glass substrate. A semiconductor electrode is obtained by immersing the semiconductor layer in a dry ethanol solution in which cis-bis(isothiocyanato)-N,N-bis(2,2'-di pyridyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid-ruthenium (II) dehydrate and deoxycholic acid are dissolved, absorbing the dye in the semiconductor layer and drying. An opposite electrode is produced by sputtering platinum on a glass substrate. An electrolyte is obtained by dissolving 0.2g lithium iodide, 1-propyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium iodide (0.479g), iodine (0.0381g) and 4-tert-butyl-pyridine (0.2g) in a 1:1 mixture of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate. Dibutyl tin di laurate is added, and polyoxyethylene glycerine (second compound) and tolylene di-isocyanate (first compound) are added.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The skeleton of the side or main chain of the polymer compound and the skeleton of the low molecular weight compound are the same pi-electron ring. The material has at least 1 smectic liquid crystal phase state at temperatures below the heat decomposition temperature. The low molecular weight compound and the polymer compound have at least 1 smectic liquid crystal phase state at temperatures below the heat decomposition temperature.Preferred Composition: The organic semiconductor layer contacts with a liquid crystal orientation layer comprising polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyoxymethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, cyanoethyl-pullulan, polymethyl methacrylate, polysulfone, polycarbonate or polyimide. EXAMPLE - A side chain-type homopolymer compound of formula (35) is obtained by reacting octane-diol with a bromonaphthol, reacting the aryl halide produced with an aryl boric acid, reacting with an acrylic acid chloride to give the vinyl monomer and radical polymerizing using AIBN.
EXAMPLE - No specific examples give.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The air channels are formed on the internal surface of the upper panel in parallel, in furrow or check pattern. The air vet holes are made at two opposite areas separated from each other around the center of the upper panel. The air channels are formed in a direction in which the two areas are connected to each other. The air vent holes are made at two opposite areas separated from each other around the center of the upper panel. Cavities are formed at the internal surfaces of the two opposed areas when the air vent holes are formed. A membrane for preventing infiltration of external moisture is provided between upper panel and MEA. The current collector installed on the cathode and anode is formed of metal mesh to allow passage of air and liquid fuel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The austenitic stainless steel further contains niobium (0.05-0.5), titanium (0.05-0.5), molybdenum (0.1-4), copper (0.1-4), aluminum (0.01-2.5) and/or calcium (0.001-0.1). The portion contacting combustion gas is produced from ferritic stainless steel containing carbon (0.02 or less), silicon (2.5 or less), manganese (2 or less), phosphorus (0.04 or less), sulfur (0.02 or less), nickel (0.6 or less), chromium (15-25), nitrogen (0.02 or less), aluminum (2.5-4), yttrium and/or rare earth metals (0.001-0.1) and remaining iron. The ferritic stainless steel further contains niobium (0.05-0.5), titanium (0.05-0.5), molybdenum (0.1-4) and/or copper (0.1-4).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: R is chosen from yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and/or lutetium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Conditions: The heating temperature of the waste material in the thermal decomposition process exists in the range of 700 - 1200 degreesC.A retention temperature of the thermal decomposition gas exists in the modification/reformation process.The manufacturing method uses the waste material as a raw material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The polymeric-material film comprises polystyrene, polyacethylene, AS resin, ABS resin, aromatic nylon, polycarbonate, polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate, polyallylate, polyether imide, polyether ether ketone, polyimide, phenol resin, diallylphthalate resin and epoxy resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Arrangement: The hydrocarbon evaporation device is arranged in a base region (22) of the combustion/mixing chamber. The inlet opening is formed in a wall region (18) surrounding the combustion/mixing chamber. The auto-ignition unit extends longitudinally and parallel to the hydrocarbon evaporation device. The hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon-containing liquid is a fossil fuel, preferably diesel fuel or the like.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The purification of silicon comprises lowering the impurity amount by reducing the volatile impurity content by heating silicon containing impurities and an additive for removing impurities to melt the silicon after reducing the non-volatile impurity amount while mixing and stirring the purification additive with the molten silicon, immersing a deposition substrate in the molten silicon and depositing pure silicon on the substrate.The non-volatile impurities include boron and carbon. The volatile impurities include phosphorus, oxygen, aluminum and calcium. The purification additive includes silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: B is a non-conjugated molecular structure, and is a linking group selected from -COO-, -CONH-, -NHCOO-, -O-, 1-100C divalent hydrocarbon groups or divalent organic residual groups combining these.A1 = an organic residual group selected from monovalent condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon groups, monovalent organometallic group having a porphyrin complex structure, a monovalent organometallic group having a phthalocyanine structure, a monovalent heterocyclic hydrocarbon group having a coronene structure or a monovalent heterocyclic hydrocarbon group having a pyrylene structure;A2 = an organic residual group selected from monovalent condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon groups, monovalent organometallic group having a porphyrin complex structure, a monovalent organometallic group having a phthalocyanine structure, a monovalent heterocyclic hydrocarbon group having a coronene structure, a monovalent heterocyclic hydrocarbon group having a pyrylene structure, a monovalent heterocyclic hydrocarbon group having a merocyanine structure or a monovalent heterocyclic hydrocarbon group having a thiophene structure.A1 and A2 are different groups and the oxidation - reduction potential EA1 is less than EA2. EXAMPLE - On the ITO glass plate of 5 cm2, a chloroform solution (10 g/l) of a compound A-B is spin-coated. After drying, a photoelectric conversion layer is formed. The layer thickness is 500 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The nonconductor and/or semiconductor member is a formed of a semiconductor having the same composition with the semiconductor film included in the photoelectric conversion layer provided on a back surface side of the intermediate film and provided within the conversion layer closed to a light incident side. It can be a composite member of a site that is formed of a material having the same composition with a portion of the conversion layer. The semiconductor film is a crystalline silicon based semiconductor film or a non-crystalline silicon based semiconductor film. The conversion layers formed of the stacked semiconductor films are a p-i-n type three-layer structure of a-silicon:hydrogen and/or a p-i-n type three-layer structure of muc-silicon:hydrogen. The intermediate conductive film is formed of transparent conductive film employing a material including zinc oxide, tin oxide, or indium tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The anode, cathode, and electrolyte structure are fabricated from silicon or silicon carbide, and each of the anode and cathode is surrounded by a non-porous peripheral structure of silicon. The electrolyte is fabricated from a low conductivity semiconductor as compared to the conductivity of the anode and cathode. The metallic catalyst is platinum or titanium-platinum. The pores of the electrolyte are filled with an ionic conductor which is preferably phosphoric acid. The second surface of the anode is adapted to receive hydrogen gas, and the second surface of the cathode is adapted to receive oxygen.Preferred Configuration: The pores of the anode and cathode have an enlarged opening portion at the first surface tapering to a smaller opening at the second surface. The pores of the electrolyte are smaller than the pores of the anode or cathode. The metallized surface has a depth of 2000-4000 Angstrom. The anode pores are of a different diameter than the cathode pores.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel cell uses hydrocarbon fuel, e.g. methane, ethane, acetylene, or butane to provide hydrogen to the anode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The low temperature fuel cell operates at 80-90 degrees C. The mechanism that partially oxidizes fuel reforms the fuel without completely oxidizing the fuel. The air to fuel equivalence ratio is less than approximately 1.5.Preferred Condition: Complete fuel utilization is achieved without mixing fuel-derived carbon dioxide with air-derived stack gases. Both fuel cells are air fired.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fuel is a hydrocarbon consisting of methane, ethane, propane, butane, components of low sulfur gasoline, and/or components of low sulfur diesel. The remaining reformed fuel from partially oxidizing fuel is syngas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The porous support contains at least 2500 pores per square inch and the average diameter of the macropores is 10-400 micron. Mesopores are also present. The porous support comprises a metal oxide, preferably alumina, silica, silica-alumina, titania, zirconia, magnesia or an aluminosilicate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The absorbent material comprises a sodium salt of a carboxy group containing polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Substrate: The substrate is made from PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) or polycarbonate.Preferred Features: The system is made from zinc oxide having a hexagonal wurzite structure, undoped or doped with aluminum. The layer system is deposited using reactive middle frequency magnetron sputtering. Deposition is carried out at a rate of more than 80 nm/minute.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Features: The membrane packets have at least one straight edge which is fixed to the membrane packet holder containing openings for removing permeate gas. The membrane packet holder forms a base surface of the rotationally symmetrical pressure sleeve. The membrane packet holder is circular and the pressure sleeve is cylindrical. The support structure comprises perforated support foils, which support the membranes (4) of each membrane group against the trans-membrane pressure difference, and a supporting plate between the support foils. The support plate is made from a sheet having bars or bends several times to form grooves.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The conductive flow field plate is made by compression molding or transfer pressing graphite-filled polymer. It comprises 5-40, preferably 30 wt.% polymer, 6-95, preferably 50 or 20 wt.% graphite powder and 0-50, preferably 20 or 50 wt.% graphite powder. The conductive plate may comprise 30 wt.% polymer and 70 wt.% graphite powder.Preferred Components: The polymer is liquid crystalline polyester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Condition: The oxygenated hydrocarbon is reacted at not more than 400, preferably not more than 300, degreesC, and at a pressure where the water and the oxygenated hydrocarbon remain condensed liquids. The water and the water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon are further reacted in the presence of a water-soluble salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal. The water and the oxygenated hydrocarbon are reacted at a pH of 4-10.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst comprises nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Or) or their alloys or mixtures. It is further alloyed or mixed with a metal selected from Group IB, Group IIB, Group VIIB, Group IVA or Group VA metals. It is further alloyed or mixed with copper, zinc, germanium, tin or bismuth. The catalyst is adhered to a support selected from silica, alumina, zirconia, titania, ceria, carbon, silica-alumina, silica nitride and/or boron nitride. The support can also be surface-modified to remove surface hydrogen or hydroxyl moities. The support is modified by treating it with silanes, alkali compounds or alkaline earth compounds. It is preferably silica modified with trimethylethoxysilane, a zeolite, carbon nanotube, carbon fullerene or nanoporous support. The water-soluble salt is an alkali or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, carbonate, nitrate or chloride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon has 2-12C. It is methanol (preferred), ethanediol, ethanedione, glycerol, glyceraldehyde, aldotetroses, aldopentoses, aldohexoses, ketotetroses, ketopentoses, ketohexoses or alditols, preferably ethylene glycol, glycerol, xylose, glucose, xylitol, sorbitol or sucrose.Preferred Composition: The water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon has a carbon-to-oxygen ratio of 1:1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A support including mesh screen(s) is adapted to support the hydrogen-selective membrane.The support engages but is not bonded to, the permeate surface of the hydrogen-selective membrane.The support is made from a porous material including mesh screen(s).The enclosure includes hydrogen-selective membranes mounted on a frame housed within the enclosure.The device includes membrane envelope(s) formed from a pair of hydrogen-selective membranes orientated such that the pair of membranes are spaced-apart from each other with their permeate surfaces generally facing each other to define a harvesting conduit.The device includes glass transport conduits interconnecting the membrane envelopes to deliver the mixed gas stream to the first surfaces of the membranes, remove the permeate stream from the harvesting conduit and remove the by-product stream.Fuel processor is adapted to produce the mixed gas stream by stream reforming a feed stream containing water and at least one carbon-containing feedstock.Preferred Composition: The secondary component contains 5-10 or 10-50 ppm silicon. The primary component includes an alloy of palladium and 35-45 (preferably 40) wt.% copper. The membrane further comprises 5-150 (preferably 5-50) ppm carbon and 5-150 ppm oxygen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a fuel cell coupled to the endothermic and exothermic hydrogen generators, and a portable electronic device coupled to the fuel cell. The fuel cell is thermally neutral or is endothermic.Preferred Component: The exothermic hydrogen generator comprises a borohydride solution, solid lithium aluminum tetrahydride, and/or a partial oxidation hydrocarbon reformer (preferably sodium borohydride hydrogen generator and a catalyst).The endothermic hydrogen generator comprises metal hydride(s), metal alloy hydride(s), a carbon nanotube system, compressed hydrogen gas, liquid hydrogen and a steam hydrocarbon reformer (preferably metal hydrides).Preferred Method: The exothermic process comprises releasing hydrogen from a metal hydride.Preferred Condition: The production of heat by exothermic process and the absorption of heat by the endothermic process are approximately equal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The primary partition comprises a disc (13). The second partition comprises rectangular vanes (21) axially connected to one another or spiral outward to form a pinwheel type orientation on the longitudinal axis (22) of the vessel. The vessel has a restrictive neck forming an opening to the vessel. A porous fiber material is placed below the restrictive neck to secure placement of the hydrogen storage alloy.The compartments are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the vessel.The sub-compartments extend longitudinally through each of the compartments.The sub-compartments are at a minimum width at the longitudinal axis of the vessel and at a maximum width at the inside wall of the vessel.The primary partition comprises a disc configured to fit through a restrictive neck of the vessel.The disc thermal contact with the inside wall of the vessel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The disc and rectangular vanes are made of copper (Cu)/beryllium alloy or phosphor/bronze alloy. The hydrogen storage alloy is magnesium (Mg), Mg-nickel (Ni), Mg-Cu, titanium (Ti)-iron, Ti-Ni, Mm-cobalt (Co), Ti-manganese (Mn) (preferred), Mg-Ni-Co-Mn, and/or Mm-Ni.It has a formula of TiQ-XZrXMnZ-YAY. It comprises Ti0.87Zr0.13Mn1.29V0.17Cr0.18Fe0.24Al0.06. It also comprises Ti0.87Zr0.13Mn1.23V0.16Cr0.17Fe0.23Al0.06. The vessel is made of an aluminum alloy.A = V, Cr, Fe, Ni or Al;Q = 0.9-1.1;X = 0-0.35;Y = 0.3-1.8;Z = 1.8-2.1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The porous fiber comprises glass wool.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The cathode comprises a microporous membrane having an outer layer comprising a hydrophobic surface. The microporous membrane has an inner layer comprising a hydrophilic surface. The cathode enzyme is disposed on the inner layer of the microporous membrane. The anode is configured and arranged for electrooxidizing sugars, alcohols, or carboxylic acids in a biological system. The inorganic matrix comprises redox functional groups to transduce a current between the anode enzyme and the anode. It comprises conductive particles distributed in the matrix. The fuel cell is coupled to a storage device for storing electrical power generated by the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: An anode redox polymer is disposed on the anode for transducing a current between the anode and the anode enzyme. A cathode redox polymer is disposed on the cathode for transducing a current between the cathode and the cathode enzyme. The cathode is configured and arranged for electroreducing oxygen in the presence of the cathode enzyme.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Component: The cathode enzyme comprises a laccase, a cytochrome C peroxidase, or a peroxidase. The anode enzyme comprises an oxidase or a dehydrogenase. An additional enzyme is proximally disposed to the anode and capable of breaking down starch or cellulose into sugars, alcohols, or carboxylic acids. The anode enzyme is immobilized within an inorganic matrix. The anode enzyme is a thermostable enzyme.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal of the metal alloy droplet is gold, silver and copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Absorbent: The zeolite is a faujasite-type zeolite, MFI-type zeolite and beta-type zeolite. The absorbent is a zeolite having alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, copper, zinc, manganese, iron or silver in the ion-exchange sites. The hydrogen sulfide absorbent is copper, zinc, manganese, iron, platinum group element or their metal oxides, and active carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The oxidizing gas contains water vapor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The base film consist of fluorine resin film, cyclic polyolefin, polycarbonate, poly acrylic, polystyrene, polyamide or polyester type resin film. The polypropylene resin film consists of film of homopolymer or copolymer of propylene and another monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The odorless gas is hydrogen gas. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The furanone derivative is 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone and/or 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone.    EXAMPLE - 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone (in wt.%) (50) and n-hexane (50) were dehydrated after stir-mixing to obtain an odorization agent. The obtained odorization agent (0.04 mg) was added to hydrogen gas (100 g). The burnt deposits of the gas had a peculiar smell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electrically conductive fibrous material having hydrophilic group on the surface is fibrous graphite, carbon nanotube and/or fibrous titania. The oxide particle is titanium oxide, tin oxide, niobium oxide, zinc oxide, indium oxide and/or zirconia. The electrolyte is iodide imidazolium salt, iodide ammonium salt, iodine and/or iodide metallic salt. The substrate is glass, metal and/or plastic. The transparent electrically conductive film contains tin oxide, indium oxide and/or zinc oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Pigment: The pigment is organo metallic complex pigment, pyridine group pigment, phthalocyanine group pigment, porphyrin group pigment, cyanine group pigment, mero cyanine group pigment, coumarin group pigment, polymethane group pigment, mercurochrome chromium pigment and/or eosin pigment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The ethylene compound preferably has formulae (2) and (3).R4-R8 = hydrogen or substituent;R9 = R2;R10 = R3;Z1, Z2 = optionally substituted heterocyclic group;R11, R12 = optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon;R13, R14 = substituent having formula (4); andn = 0 or more.Provided that when n is 0, R14 is substituent having formula (4).R2 and R3 = as defined in formula (1). SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - 189 compounds are disclosed for ethylene compound, such as compounds of formulae (17-22).    EXAMPLE - Ethanol (in ml) (10), 2.5 g of compound of formula (195), 0.8 g of terephthal aldehydic acid and piperidine (1), were heat-stirred for 3 hours at 90 degrees C and reacted. Subsequently, the reaction mixture was cooled, and crystals of ethyl acetate were added for precipitation. The obtained precipitate was recrystallized with methanol to obtain blue green color crystals of ethylene compound of formula (106) with 1.4 g yield. The ethylene compound had melting point of 247-249 degrees C. The ethylene compound showed absorption spectrum in visible region at wavelength of 563 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Process: The homogenization treatment comprises establishing a melted zone with a temperature up to 100degreesC above the m.pt. of the alloy and moving the melted zone through the alloy at a rate of 1-40 mm/hour. The alloy has a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure.Alloy: Disclosed alloys are vanadium alloys, including titanium-vanadium-manganese and titanium-vanadium-chromium alloys. EXAMPLE - A 1:1:1 mixture of titanium, vanadium and chromium was melted under argon in a vacuum arc furnace and cooled to room temperature. The alloy was placed in a zone refining furnace, evacuated down to 10-4 torr or better, and melted under high-purity argon. The alloy was advanced through the melt zone at a rate of 1-40 mm/hour and cooled at a rate of 5degreesC/minute. This increased the hydrogen absorption capacity by about 20%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: This has several photocatalytic elements, e.g. comprising titanium dioxide on chromium-nickel steel fibers, alternating with UV light sources within the housing. The inlet is connected to a humidifier (6) and the outlet is connected to a separation/purification unit (7) providing a hydrogen-rich gas supply to a fuel cell (8).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred support materials include iron, titanium, nickel, chromium and their alloys. There can be an intermediate layer of aluminum, chromium, titanium, zirconium, vanadium, iron or their alloys between the support and the photocatalytic layer. The photocatalytic layer can be doped with nickel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred support materials include alumina, silica, zirconia, titania, yttria and carbides, borides or nitrides of aluminum, silicon, titanium, vanadium and/or chromium. Preferred photosemiconductor materials include oxides of germanium, manganese, niobium, silicon, tin, tantalum, titanium, zinc and/or zirconium, especially anatase titanium dioxide. The photocatalytic layer can be doped with an oxide of niobium, aluminum, iron or nickel. EXAMPLE - A disk of sintered chromium-nickel steel fibers is coated with anatase titanium dioxide by reactive pulsed magnetron sputtering using a pair of titanium targets in an argon-oxygen plasma.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred magnitude The magnitude is the CO concentration. A second given comparison value indicates a maximum CO content of 50 ppm, preferably 20 ppm, for use with a PEM fuel cell. It is 5000 ppm, preferably 2000 ppm in the case of a HTPEM fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The fin and tube comprise (mass%) silicon (0.1-2.5), chromium (0.8-4) or manganese (0.1-1.5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The pressurized gas stream comprises nitrogen gas and an inert gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The pressurized gas stream is a nitrogen-enriched air stream. The pressurization assembly is adapted to deliver into the compartment a pressurized gas stream having oxygen for the feedstock in the compartment to be flammable for explosive when stored under pressure in the compartment. The reservoir is adapted to receive and store in the compartment water along with carbon-containing feedstock. The pressurization assembly maintains the pressure within the reservoir at at least25 preferably 100-300 psig.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: No general preparation given.Preferred Component: At least one of RB1-RB8 or one of RA1-RA8 is perhaloalkyl, preferably perfluoroalkyl. At least one of RB1-RB8 or one of RA1-RA8 is ethyne, alkynyl, oligynyl or has the formula Cequivalent toCR. EXAMPLE - A tube (50 ml) was charged with 5,6-bis((5',15'-triisopropylsilylethynyl-10',20'-di(4-(3-methoxy-3-methylbutoxy)phenyl)porphinato)zinc(II)indane ( 5 8 mg), tetrahydrofuran (THF, 5 ml), and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (0.09 ml). After stirring for 10 minutes at room temperature, trichloromethane (100 ml) was added and the resulting solution was washed with sodium bicarbonate (aq). The organic layer was separated, evaporated and purified via chromatography (silica gel, 7/3 hexanes/THF). The green band was isolated, giving the desired product 5,6-bis((5',5-15'-ethynyl-10'20'-di(4-(3-methoxy-3-methylbutoxy)phenyl) porphinato)zinc(II)indane. Isolated yield was 47 mg (98% based on the 58 mg of porphyrin starting material).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The alloy is coated, cladded, plated, or painted with aluminum-containing material. Carbon dioxide is added to the feed containing propane.Preferred Conditions: The reforming conditions include a temperature of at least 800 degrees F (preferably at least 900 degrees F), a steam to carbon ratio of at least 0.5 (preferably at least 1.5).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The alloy comprises at least 10 wt.% nickel and/or cobalt, and at least 1 wt.% aluminum. EXAMPLE - A series of metal alloys containing Al either as part of the alloy or as a surface diffusion coating were placed in a quartz tube and then exposed to a gas mixture containing 7 vol.% ethane, 1 vol.% propane, 2 vol.% carbon dioxide and balance methane. The furnace was heated to 1400 degreesF and steam was introduced into the gas stream to carbon ratio of the process gas was 2.5. The sample was held at 1400 degreesF for 48 hours. The samples were then examined using an optical microscope to gauge the level of coking.    The results showed that the alloy FecralloY (TM) with sum of Ni+Co. wt. of 0%, 0 vol.% CO2, and steam/carbon ratio of 2.5, Al content of 5% showed no coke after 48 hours. In comparison, the alloy Undimet 700 (TM) with sum of Ni+Co. wt. owf 72%, 0 vol.% CO2, and steam/carbon ratio of 2.5, Al content of 4.1% showed heavy (15 microns thick) coke deposition after 48 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel-reforming reactor is an autothermal reforming reactor comprising a catalyst for promoting the partial reaction of reformable fuel with steam and the partial oxidation of reformable fuel in the presence of oxygen. The fuel cell system also includes a heat exchanger system comprising a first heat exchanger (56) for receiving effluent from the first combustor, a steam heat exchanger (206) in a water tank (44), heat-transfer fluid circulating between the first heat exchanger and heat exchanger in the water tank, a second heat exchanger (20) positioned between the fuel-reforming reactor and water-gas shift reactor, and a third heat exchanger (68) provided in the preferential oxidation reactor and coupled to the second heat exchanger to allow heat transfer fluid to flow from to the second heat exchanger. A bypass plumbing is connected to the first combustor, and a bypass valve (49) is provided in the bypass plumbing.The bypass valve is movable from a first position (where the effluent from the first combustor is directed through the first heat exchanger) to a second position (where effluent from the first combustor bypasses the first heat exchanger). A catalytic combustor (82) is provided downstream of the fuel cell stack to combust anode and cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack. At least one of the first and second combustors includes a housing defining a combustion chamber, a fuel injector positioned to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, an air inlet positioned to inject air into the combustion chamber, an ignition source positioned to ignite air and fuel in the combustion chamber, and a water injector positioned to spray water into an exhaust stream produced from the combustion of fuel and air. A drain opening is provided in the water spray chamber to allow water to drain from the water chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polymer electrolyte gel is formed of an N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solvent and the PVDF polymer or their copolymer; or a 3-methoxypropionitrile solvent and the PVDF polymer or their copolymer, which is dissolved in a solvent to a predetermined amount.Preferred Condition: The polymer electrolyte gel is formed by mixing PVDF (3-20 wt.%) polymer of their copolymer based on the weight of the solvent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The semiconductor electrode is formed by of a transparent conductive substrate (22) and a transition metal oxide layer (14), which is coated on the transparent substrate. The semiconductor electrode further comprises a dye molecular layer that is chemically adsorbed to the transition metal oxide layer. The opposed electrode is formed of a transparent conductive substrate and a platinum layer (24) that is coated on the transparent substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The dye molecular layer is formed of ruthenium complex.Preferred Component: The transition metal oxide layer is formed of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The main component nickel of the electrode material is replaced with nickel-iron alloy or nickel-cobalt alloy. The fuel electrode material contains zirconium complex oxide of formula, Zr1-xAxO2, where A is yttrium, ytterbium, calcium, magnesium or cerium, and x is 0.05-0.2.Preferred Property: The particle size of MAl2O4 is 0.1-10 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layer: The photocatalyst layer consists of titanium dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carbon Material: The carbon nano structure has a tube, straight line, spiral fiber or horn shape. The carbon nanotubes have a diameter of 1-100 nm. After grinding, the tube length is 10-1000 nm.Preferred Process: Grinding is carried out using a rocking mill, where the rotary shaft is at a perpendicular or horizontal angle. Hydrogen gas is supplied at 0-1 MPa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred catalyst: The oxide is zirconia and further contains an alkali, rare earth or alkaline earth (preferably potassium, calcium, barium, lanthanum or yttrium) metal in a ratio of 0.01 to 0.1 to oxygen. The noble metal is rhodium, platinum, ruthenium, palladium or iridium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The nanotube has a mesopore diameter of 5-20 nm and a length of 10-500 nm. The catalyst has a ratio of noble metal/nanotube of 1/10 to 1/1000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydride: The hydride is a compound represented by: AxByHz, where A is alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, B is boron or aluminum, H is hydrogen, x is 0-10, y is 0-20, and z is 1-30.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The ceramic raw material solution includes lanthanum oxide (La2O3), strontium carbonate (SrCO3), manganese carbonate (MnCO3) and nitric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The zeolite carrier contains crystalline silicate and ZSM-5 type zeolite, gamma-alumina, beta-type zeolite, A-type zeolite, Y-type zeolite, mordenite or anatase-type titania. The base material is a honey-comb shaped cordierite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carrier: The carrier having solid-acid action is chosen from gamma-alumina, theta-alumina, anatase-type titania, zirconia, zeolite, metal silicate, and/or complex oxide of titanium, silicon, aluminum, and zirconium. Preferred Metal: The active metal containing platinum is iron, manganese, zinc, copper, phosphorus, sulfur, cobalt, chromium, tungsten and/or tin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The opening is a through hole. The gas sensor is installed from an outside of the piping by insertion of a protruding gas inlet portion into the through hole. It has securing flanges (20) extending to the front and rear of the gas inlet portion in the gas flow direction to the piping by fasteners (21). The gas circulating inside the piping is discharged gas from a cathode-side of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The gas sensor is installed in the upside of the piping in the direction of gravity. It is a catalytic combustion method hydrogen gas sensor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: A control unit is also provided to vary the flat electrochromic element in its color and/or transparency utilizing the electrical energy obtained by the cell. A energy storage unit is used to store the electrical energy obtained by the solar cell and the energy is used to control the electrochromic element. The solar cell and the electrochromic element are connected using electrical lines (4) made from indium-tin oxide. The electrochromic element is made from tungsten trioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The (I) mass flow is regulated by increasing or reducing the speed of rotation of the (I) blower. The limiting values are stored in a regulator. The interval between 2 measurements is about 0.5-1 seconds. If the measured value is below the lower limit, the reformer is switched off and, at the same time, the electric blower motor preferably operates with a defined, especially 100%, output. The (I) mass flow sensor is a PTC (positive temperature coefficient) element. The (I) temperature is detected and used as parameter for regulating the (I) mass flow. The amount of fuel fed into the reaction chamber is also regulated or the upper and lower limits are adjusted according to the amount of fuel supplied.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The introducing steps further comprise adjusting the equivalence ratio of the feed stream such that the temperature of the corresponding reactor resulting from the adiabatic temperature rise will not exceed a maximum operating temperature of the particular reactor. The equivalence ratio is adjusted by adjusting the fuel stream or air stream. The method further comprises introducing a steam stream into a primary reactor along with the fuel stream and the first air stream to form a first feed stream which is rich in fuel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The indium tin oxide or zinc oxide:gallium layer is 5-30 nm thick. The zinc oxide:aluminum layer is 50-100 nm thick. The indium tin oxide or zinc oxide:gallium target has a relative density of at least 95%. The magnetic field intensity of the indium tin oxide or zinc oxide:gallium target is larger than that of the zinc oxide:aluminum target, preferably at least 900 G. The indium tin oxide or zinc oxide:gallium layer is formed at a lower sputtering power than that at which the zinc oxide:aluminum layer is formed, and is formed at a discharge density of 1-3 W/cm2.Preferred Process: The indium tin oxide or zinc oxide:gallium layer is formed by a radio frequency sputtering method. The zinc oxide:aluminum layer is formed by direct current sputtering method. Before the indium tin oxide or zinc oxide:gallium layer is formed, a vacuum state is set such that the pressure is at most 5 x 10-3 Pa. The indium tin oxide or zinc oxide:gallium layer is formed in an inert gas atmosphere.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The indium tin oxide comprises tin (2-15, preferably 2-7 wt.%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Conditions: Ion collision energy and ion flux applied on the interfacial surface are restricted to be larger than that applied on the semiconductor film surface. A temperature rising speed of the interfacial film that is heated by an optical heating mechanism is not less than 6 degrees C/second. The hating temperature is not less than the temperature of the substrate during film forming process and not more than 1200 degrees C.Preferred Components: The device for manufacturing the semiconductor thin film comprises a plasma source, support base, and electrode. The electrode is a frame-like electrode.Preferred Process: The production of the semiconductor thin film comprises an impurity adding process of adding an impurity that affects surface reaction on the surface of the substrate at the time of performing interfacial film forming.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The surface functional group of the substrate is alcohol, thiol, amine, and/or amide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: The deposited hydrous ruthenium oxide on the substrate is heated to adjust the water composition in the hydrous ruthenium oxide film. The heated hydrous ruthenium oxide has a formula RuO2.xH2O.x = 0.03-3 moles.The depositing step is conducted at ambient temperature or at 15-90 degrees C and at ambient pressure or 0.05-5 atm. The oxidizing solution is prepared by mixing a ruthenium-containing composition, an oxidant and water. An inert film is applied around the substrate and the oxidizing solution prior to the selective depositing step. Metal particles are electrodeposited on the hydrous ruthenium oxide layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The ruthenium-containing composition is hydrous ruthenium chloride (RuCl3.xH2O) or hydrous ruthenium oxide (RuO2.xH2O). The oxidant is sodium oxychloride (NaOCl), calcium oxychloride (Ca(OCl)2), cesium sulfate (Ce(SO4)2), potassium permanganate (KMnO4), potassium bromate (KBrO3), and/or sodium iodate (NaIO4).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The cadmium oxide film is doped with group III element such as indium, boron, aluminum, gallium and thallium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The first and second battery cells comprise lithium-ion battery cell. The first and second neural networks comprise a back-propagating neural network. The first and second sensors monitor voltage, temperature, or charge current associated with first battery cell. The first photovoltaic cell is interconnected with each of first battery cell and first neural network by first polyimide connection. The first battery cell is interconnected with first electrical load by second polyimide connection. The second photovoltaic cell is interconnected with each of second battery cell and second neural network by third polyimide connection. The second battery cell is interconnected with second electrical load by fourth polyimide connection. The battery parameters comprise battery voltage, battery temperature, and charge current.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The first photovoltaic cell is interconnected with each of first battery cell and first neural network by first polyimide connection. The first battery cell is interconnected with first electrical load by second polyimide connection. The second photovoltaic cell is interconnected with each of second battery cell and second neural network by third polyimide connection. The second battery cell is interconnected with second electrical load by fourth polyimide connection.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The catalyst is selected from any one of metals such as platinum, rhodium, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, rhenium and tungsten.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The catalyst holder material is selected from any one of carbon fiber, activated carbon, alumina, silica, zeolite and mesoporous material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The methanation reaction unit has methanation catalyst containing rubidium or platinum group noble metals.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred process: The process produces a mixture of titania and the other oxide. A binder is added to the mixture and slurried. The mixture comprises 1-50% (preferably 1-15%) ceria or tungsten oxide. The process further comprises adding an alkali or alkaline-earth metal (preferably sodium, lithium, potassium, rubidium, magnesium or calcium) to the support. A rare earth metal (Lanthanum) may further be added.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metal particles are lithium, nickel, cobalt or iron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer matrix is polyvinylidene fluoride type polymer compound which is vinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene copolymer copolymerized with 1-25 mass% of hexafluoro propylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The filter contains noble metal-type catalyst and silver-type catalyst.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The filter contains adsorbents such as activated carbon or zeolite.
Preferred Definitions:    R1 = 1-7C perfluoroalkyl;    R2 = 1-30C alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl or aryl; and    R3 = H.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The ruthenium complex is:    acetylacetonato thiocyanate (4,4',4''-trimethoxy carbonyl -2,2';2'',6-terpyridine) ruthenium(II)    trifluoroacetylacetonato thiocyanate (4,4',4''-trimethoxy carbonyl -2,2';2'',6-terpyridine) ruthenium(II)    trifluoroacetyl methyl hexyl ketonate thiocyanate (4,4',4''-trimethoxy carbonyl -2,2';2'',6-terpyridine) ruthenium(II) or    acetylacetonato chloro (4,4',4''-trimethoxy carbonyl -2,2';2'',6-terpyridine) ruthenium(II).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The base film consists of fluorine-resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin film, polycarbonate group resin film, polyacrylic group resin film, polyamide group resin film or polyester group resin film. The polypropylene resin film consists of a film of the homopolymer of propylene or the copolymer of propylene, and another monomer. The heat sealing-resin consists of a polyolefin type resin layer or an ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The transparent film formed on the base material is made of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalene, polypropylene, acrylic type resin, polycarbonate and/or polyamide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The film is made of metallic oxide chosen from silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, silicon nitride and/or magnesium fluoride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The solid polymer electrolyte is a polypyrrole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The raw material is gasified indium iodide, gasified stannic chloride and oxygen gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The burner comprises a lean burn burner for burning a mixture of fuel and air at a larger air-fuel ratio than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. The warm up device further comprises a heat amount supply adjustment mechanism having a valve (80), a sensor (51-53) for detecting a catalyst temperature of a specific catalytic converter, and a controller (82) functioning to: calculate from the catalyst temperature detected prior to combustion gas distribution an amount of heat required to warm the catalyst to activation temperature, compare the heat amount with a preset design warm up heat amount, and control the valve so that the air is supplied to the specific catalytic converter when the heat amount is smaller than the design warm up heat amount. The catalytic reactors comprise a reformer (3), a shift converter (4), and a preferential oxidation reactor (5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The steam reforming stage is formed as a hollow body, preferably as a hollow cylinder, having a casing chamber, preferably an annular chamber, for receiving the reforming catalyst and a heating device (4) is arranged in the casing chamber.The heating device is a burner.The cross-sectional thickness of the annular chamber is 2-20% of the outer diameter of the hollow body.The catalyst is arranged in one of the annular chambers in a honeycomb structure, preferably on a metal foil delimiting flow channels.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The gas permeable layer comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The protonically conductive membrane comprises Nafion (RTM: poly perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fuel from the fuel source is a methanol solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The first and second components comprise a fuel cell for generating electrical power, and an emission abatement device for treating exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, respectively. The second component comprises an intake of an internal combustion engine. The onboard fuel reformer comprises a plasma fuel reformer having a plasma-generating assembly and a power supply. Preferred Method: Operating the onboard fuel reformer to generate the first reformate gas comprises advancing the first reformate gas, through a catalyst downstream of the plasma-generating assembly; and operating the power supply to supply electrical power at a first power level to the plasma fuel reformer. Operating the onboard fuel reformer to generate the second reformate gas comprises bypassing the second reformate gas around the catalyst, and operating the power supply to supply electrical power at a second power level to the plasma fuel reformer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Parameter: The first reformate gas is richer in hydrogen than is the second reformate gas. Preferred Component: The first and second components comprise a nitrogen oxide trap and a soot particulate filter, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The system further comprises a bypass passage (28) providing fluid communication between the recirculation loop and the combustor inlet. The bypass passage further comprises a check valve to prevent backflow. The recirculation loop further comprises an exhaust valve for selectively providing fluid communication between the recirculation loop and the combustor inlet. A recirculation valve controls fluid communication in the recirculation loop. The system further comprises a fuel cell having an anode inlet in fluid communication with the fuel processor outlet and an anode outlet, the bypass valve including an anode bypass valve operably disposed between the fuel processor outlet and the anode inlet and the combustor inlet. A pressure regulator is operably disposed between the anode outlet and the combustor inlet. A cathode bypass valve (44) is operably disposed between a cathode air supply and a cathode inlet of the fuel cell for selectively providing fluid communication between the cathode inlet and combustor inlet. A condenser is in fluid communication with the fuel processor outlet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The inner case includes a hermetically sealable chamber for receiving thermal insulation (32). The hermetically sealable chamber is formed with heat-sealable polymeric barrier film including a surface metal film. A second preventative agent is disposed between the inner and outer cases.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The preventative agent may be thermal insulation. The thermal insulation is a gas having a high molecular weight, preferably argon or xenon. It may be a high porous, low-density, high temperature-resistant material, preferably aerogel at atmospheric pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The preventative agent is a fuel neutralizing agent (24). The fuel neutralizing agent is aldehyde with carbonyl reducing groups when the fuel is sodium borohydride. It is ketone, ester, aldehyde, or carboxide when the fuel is alumino hydride. The second preventative agent is a foaming agent (64), a fire/reaction retardant (66), a gelling agent (68), or an adsorbent (70). The fuel neutralizing agent and the second preventative agent are integrally blended.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The first reactor plate face (115) defines a solution flow field with solution channels. The second face (117) defines a coolant flow field with coolant channels. A pellet form catalyst is located on at least a portion of the solution channels. The reactor plate (200, 200a) also includes solution inlet and outlet defined in the first face and in fluid communication with the solution channels, and coolant inlet and outlet defined in the second face and in fluid communication with the coolant channels (245).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The hydrogen alloy comprises (at.%) titanium (30-35), vanadium (25-30), chromium (25-30, preferably 27.5-30), manganese (10-15) and zinc (at most 10, preferably at most 3), iron (at most 10), tantalum (at most 2), yttrium (at most 2), or molybdenum (at most 2, preferably 0.5-1.0).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ceramics: The ceramics in hydrogen separated layer contains oxides of zirconium and silica. Preferred Layer: The intermediate layer contains alpha-alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The concentration (atomic %) of platinum is 15-35 (20-30) or 30-50 (35-45); nickel is 50-70 (55-65) or 10-30; iron is 5-20 (10-15) or 30-50 (35-45); and manganese is 20-50 (25-45). The unsupported ternary catalyst layer on the surface of the electrolyte membrane or the electrode has a thickness of 10-500, preferably 40-100, Angstrom. The layer has a surface concentration of the unsupported ternary catalyst of less than 5, preferably less than 1, especially 0.1-1 mg/cm2. The electrically conductive support particles are inorganic or organic, preferably carbon or electrically conductive polymer supports.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: In the fuel cell, the fuel consists essentially of hydrogen, methanol or a hydrocarbon-based fuel consisting of saturated hydrocarbons, garbage off-gas, oxygenated hydrocarbons and/or fossil fuels. EXAMPLE - Alloy composition was prepared using a photolithography/radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique, to deposit thin-film alloys on arrays of electrode. A quartz insulating substrate was provided and photolithographic techniques were used to design and fabricate the electrode patterns on it. By applying a predetermined amount of photoresist to the substrate, photolyzing preselected regions of the photoresist, removing those regions that were photolyzed, depositing a layer of titanium using radio frequency magnetron sputtering over the entire surface and removing predetermined regions of the deposited titanium, intricate patterns of electrode were fabricated on the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The concentration (atomic %) of manganese is 5-15 (8-12) or 10-20 (12-18); platinum is 10-70 (45-55); nickel (sic) is 10-70 (30-50); and cobalt is 25-45 (30-40). The unsupported ternary catalyst layer on the surface of an electrolyte membrane or an electrode has a thickness of 10-500, preferably 40-100, Angstrom. It has a surface concentration of the unsupported ternary catalyst of less than 5, preferably 0.1-1 mg/cm2. The electrically conductive support particles are inorganic or organic, preferably carbon or electrically conductive polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel consists of hydrogen, hydrocarbon-based fuel or methanol. The hydrogen-containing fuel is a hydrocarbon-based fuel consisting of saturated hydrocarbons, garbage off-gas, oxygenated hydrocarbons and/or fossil fuels. EXAMPLE - Carbon supported platinum powder (0.5 g) was dispersed in 200 ml of room temperature 18 MOhm deionized water. While stirring, volumes based on the targeted electrocatalyst composition of solutions comprising the metals to be alloyed with the platinum nanoparticles were added dropwise to the slurry (i.e. 1 M manganese dinitrate tetrahydrate and 1 M cobalt dinitrate hexahydrate aqueous solutions). The slurry containing the dissolved metal salts was heated at 60-90 degrees C for 1 hour. Ammonium hydroxide aqueous solution (10 wt.%) was slowly added until the slurry had a pH of 10. The slurry was stirred for 15 more minutes. The powder was dried at 60-100 degrees C for 4-8 hours. Recovered precursor powder was subjected to heat treatment, comprising heating in a quartz flow furnace with an atmosphere comprising hydrogen (6%) and argon (94%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The bundle element comprises a multi-sheet layer forming the heat-exchanging surface. The vaporizer further comprises a conduit system having a second conduit in fluid communication with the bundle element and outside the chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The complex chemical hydride is of formula MBH4, and is preferably sodium aluminum hydride.M = Na, Li, or K, preferably Na; andB = at least one of the elements in the third column of the Periodic Table, preferably Al.Preferred Method: The decomposing of the complex chemical hydride comprises heating the complex chemical hydride to 50-600 degrees C, preferably 100-200 degrees C to produce a first set of the byproducts, and heating the complex chemical hydride to 200-300 degrees C to produce a second set of byproducts. EXAMPLE - Purified sodium aluminum hydride (1 g) was placed in a stainless steel reaction vessel (16) and heat-treated to a temperature of at most 300 degrees C. The volume of the generated hydrogen was measured using a simple inverted graduated cylinder. The decomposed byproducts were milled using steel balls (28) for 10 minutes. The pressure of hydrogen was adjusted to 100 bar at 160 degrees C isotherm for 3-9 hours. The hydrogen pressure was released to ambient pressure and the sample was heated to 300 degrees C and the released hydrogen was measured again. The cycle was repeated at least 20 times.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The transparent electrodes include zinc oxide, tin oxide and indium-tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The amount of chromium and nickel contained in the alloy satisfies another relation: Ni+2xCr at least 110 wt.%. The alloy preferably contains silicon (1-2.5), aluminum (0.8-2) and yttrium (0.01-0.1).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The soft resin sheet contains ethylene resin selected from the group comprising polyethylene or ethylene-(alpha) olefine copolymer, ethylene acrylate copolymer and alkoxysilane compounds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactions: The reactions comprise an exothermic reaction and a secondary reaction, especially partial fuel oxidation with catalytic reforming.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Fuel Cell: The support structure is a stack of fuel cells with a first and a last cell. The educts (A, R) are oxidizing and reducing substances. The reaction comprises electrochemical processes on electrodes of the fuel cells. The ends (21, 22) are at the first and last cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred Monitoring and Control System: The resistance thermometer (1) is part of a monitoring system which interrupts supply of educts as soon as a temperature measurement rises above a given value.Preferred Sensor Location: The ends (21, 22) comprise the inlet (21) for the educts (E1, E2) and an outlet (22) for a product gas (R).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Sensor Wire: The wire includes nickel, tungsten, molybdenum or platinum. A covering of material inert at 900 degrees C can be provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Energy Converter The energy conversion arrangement includes titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, an electrolyte and optional coloring, e.g. terra-cotta.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Series Arrangement The energy conversion arrangement includes a lateral sequence of pn junctions.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Geometry The cells are stacked with air cooling gaps and/or liquid cooling. A lamellar arrangement is used. An optionally-stacked strip-like assembly, forms shapes of any selected geometry.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Energy Converter The material includes titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, an electrolyte and optional coloring.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Electrolyte Fiber The electrolyte fiber( 2) comprises a counter-electrolyte with redox system as mediator.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Textile Photocell Structure The lateral textile photocell has a transparent flexible protective layer on each side. The lateral solar cell arrangement is applied transversely or along the textile fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each of the first and second electrodes has a comb-like shape. The first electrode comprises a first set of teeth. The second electrode comprises a second set of teeth. The teeth of the first set of teeth are alternately disposed between the teeth of the second set of teeth. The semiconductor substrate comprises a monocrystalline or polycrystalline semiconductor substrate. The intrinsic semiconductor film comprises an amorphous silicon film, a film having a hetero-structure mixture of amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon, an amorphous silicon carbide film, or a film having a hetero-structure mixture of amorphous silicon carbide and microcrystalline silicon. The photovoltaic element further comprises an antireflection film (18) disposed on the light incident surface; a layer having a conductivity type opposite to a conductivity of the substrate and being disposed on the light incident surface; and a second intrinsic semiconductor film disposed on the light incident surface. Preferred Method: The intrinsic semiconductor film is formed by catalytic chemical vapor deposition. The forming step includes doping with impurities; or forming a first set of conductive semiconductor portions on the intrinsic semiconductor film, doping the first set of conductive semiconductor portions to form p-type conductive semiconductor portions; forming a second set of conductive semiconductor portions on the intrinsic semiconductor film such that each p-type conductive semiconductor portion is separated from the other p-type conductive semiconductor portions and such that each of the second set of conductive semiconductor portions is separated from one another, and doping the second set of conductive semiconductor portions to form n-type conductive semiconductor portions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The silicon layer containing carbon has a high conductivity.Preferred Component: The silicon layer containing carbon has a fine crystalline silicon column. It comprises a p-type silicon layer having a conductivity of 5x10power-6-5x10power1 S/cm; an n-type silicon layer having a conductivity of 5x10power-6-8x10power1 S/cm; and a high hydrogen concentration layer (11a, 12a) at an interface with the monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon layer. The hydrogen concentration layer has a hydrogen concentration of 6-24 atomic%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The diffusion preventing film is formed of titanium, titanium oxide, niobium or chromium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: A compound having light absorption bands in a wavelength of approximately 300 to approximately 1000 nm is distributed on an oxide semiconductor. It is irradiated with light to produce an oxidized form of the compound and an electron. The electron is introduced into the external electric circuit through the oxide semiconductor.Preferred Component: The positive electrode is an oxygen electrode that reduces oxygen in the air or electrolyte.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The electron is supplied to the oxidized photosensitizer by a reaction effected in the presence of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide in oxidized and reduced forms (NADH)/(NAD+) as an oxidation-reduction mediator, and a reaction of D-glucose as a carbon-containing compound in the presence of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide in oxidized and reduced forms (NADH)/(NAD+) as an oxidation-reduction mediator and at minimum D-glucose dehydrogenase as an enzyme system.Preferred Component: The photosensitizer compound that produces an oxidant and an electron when irradiated with light is a dye having the structure of a porphyrin or related cyclic tetrapyrrole represented by porphyrin P1. The carbon-containing compound is D-glucose-6-phosphate, methyl alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. The oxidation-reduction mediator is nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate in oxidized and reduced forms (NADPH)/(NADP+). The enzyme system contains at minimum D-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and/or 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGDH). It contains at minimum an alcohol dehydrogenase, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, and/or formate dehydrogenase.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The low-thermal conductivity insert(s) is present in the top plunger and the bottom plunger. It is bonded to the plunger(s) with an adhesive.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The low-thermal conductivity insert is a ceramic consisting of alumina, alumina silicate, glass, zirconia, or boron nitride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The adhesive is a fast cure adhesive. Preferred Method: The first and second electrocatalyst coating composition is coated on opposite sides of the polymer membrane to form a catalyst-coated membrane. Preferred Parameter: The catalyst coated membrane and the first and second gas diffusion backings having sealing edges are all the same size. The catalyst-coated membrane is longer than the first and second gas diffusion backings having sealing edges. Preferred Component: The sealing polymer comprises a thermoplastic polymer. It comprises a thermosetting or curable-resin polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A temperature of the conduit reflects an operation temperature of the fuel cell. The conduit includes a flexible tube connecting the fuel source with the anode chamber. The fuel source is a fuel cartridge, a pump or a mixing chamber. The valve is positioned adjacent the flexible tube. A positioning of the switch between the first position and the second position is variable depending upon an operating temperature of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel comprises methanol. The liquid medium is water and/or methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The heat-sensitive valve comprises a bimetal material. The valve comprises a shape memory alloy, preferably nickel-titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The first material comprises Nafion (RTM: Perfluorosulfonate Ionomer).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: At least about 80% of primary particle of tightly agglomerated composition, are with in 2.25 dN1/3 nm of at least 80% of other constituent primary particles. At least 50% of the constituent primary particles of the composition have size not deviating by more than a factor of 2 from the average size of its constituent particles, and at least 90% of constituent primary particles of the composition have size non-deviating by more than a factor of 4 from the average size of its primary particles. The primary agglomerated composition has specific surface area of 1-70 m2/g. The non-oxide powder has primary particle purity of less than 10000, preferably less than 50 parts/million by mass, based on metal contaminant.Preferred Material: The primary particles are chosen from metals, valve metals, intermetallics, refractory metal, metal matrix composite, ceramic and non-metals.Preferred Composition: The tightly agglomerated composition further comprises secondary material within which the primary particles are encapsulated. The powder has encapsulation efficiency of 10-99 mass%, preferably 70-99 mass%. The secondary material is salt or polymer. The non-oxide powder preferably contains at least 75 mass% of tightly agglomerated composition. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The primary particles are tantalum, niobium, carbon or boron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Elements: The composite covering layer comprises 1-20 mg/m2 aminated phenolic polymer, 0.5-50 mg/m2 chromium compound and 0.5-5 mg/m2 phosphorus compound. Before applying the coating, the surface is subjected to alkaline degreasing and/or pickling. EXAMPLE - A battery was made with a copper terminal (a) and an aluminum terminal (b), both 4 mm wide and 100 mum thick. Terminal (a) was degreased with alkali and rinsed with water, then pickled with chromate and rinsed with water again. Both terminals were given a composite coating, comprising (a) 10, (b) 10.0 mg/m2 aminated phenolic polymer, (a) 5, (b) 2.0 mg/m2 chromium compound and (a) 1, (b) 1.5 mg/m2 phosphorus compound. These terminals were fitted to a battery, which was then placed in a casing, filled with 5 g electrolyte, comprising 1 mole lithium phosphate hexafluoride in ethylene carbonate : diethyl carbonate : dimethyl carbonate in 1:1:1 ratio, and sealed. In storage tests for 30 days at 85degreesC, with the terminal at the bottom, the seal was satisfactory and there were no leaks at either terminal. In batteries with untreated copper terminals, there were leaks from these terminals in 30 of 50 test objects.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The heating element further comprises a combustion flow path in the body to correspond to the reaction flow path having a combustion catalyst layer in the path; combustion fluid supplying unit that supplies the fluid to the combustion flow path; and a thermal energy supplying unit that supplies the thermal energy to the reaction flow path by a combustion reaction on the combustion catalyst layer. The apparatus further comprises a heat radiation preventing film covering the outermost surfaces of the body.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The radiation preventing film is a metal film made of gold, aluminum or silver, and a metal oxide film made of tin oxide, indium oxide or zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The catalytic groups are incorporated within separate compounds bound to a support structure. The support structure is a porous framework. Ferrocene groups are coated to the surface of an electrode substrate as part of a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating is a conducting electroactive polymer containing anionic ferrocenes as counter ions. The ferrocene groups include reactive substituents which allow the incorporation of the groups as monomers into a polymer which is dynamically attached to an underlying support. A polypyrrole-ferrocene monosulfate is of formula (IV; n is greater than 2), or its optionally substituted ferrocene analogs.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Assay: Assay uses kinetic studies to determine whether the observed catalysis occurs as a result of the interaction of catalytic groups with a reagent or intermediate, and whether the catalysis mechanism involves the simultaneous interaction of two or more separate catalytic groups with a reagent or intermediate; and whether the interaction of two or more separate catalytic groups with the reagent or intermediate largely occurs when catalyst is formed or used under conditions which favorably influence the statistical distribution of proximities between the catalytic groups involves.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The fuel cell uses methanol as a fuel, and the anode potential is 0.5-1 volt between the pulses relative to saturated calomel electrode (SCE) and -0.8 to 0 volt during the pulses relative to SCE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The water-repellent substance is fluororesin, silicon resin, silane-coupling agent and/or wax.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carbonaceous Materials: The carbonaceous material is carbon black, graphite and/or carbon fiber.Preferred Electrode Materials: The material is for producing electrodes in fuel cells. EXAMPLE - A mixture of carbon black (average particle size = 30 nm, specific surface area = 254 m2/g and DBP oil absorption = 174 ml/100 g; 80 parts) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene; 20 parts) was blended for 5 minutes then 50 g of which was dispersed in ethanol (300 parts) for 1-2 hours. The dispersion was heated at 360degreesC for 1 hour, and the residue was pulverized to give a water-repellent carbonaceous material for test: good water-repellency was observed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: The water and alcohol are contacted with the catalyst at 250-320 degrees C. EXAMPLE - A catalyst was coated on iron-chromium-aluminum-yttrium felt. A catalyst coating slurry was prepared by mixing powder catalyst with de-ionized water in the ratio of 1:6. The metal felt was pretreated by a rapid heating to 900 degrees C, in air for 2 hours. The heat-treated felt was wash-coated. Between each coating, the felt coated with catalyst was dried in an oven at 100 degrees C, and calcined by heating slowly in air at 2 degrees C/minute to 300-500 degrees C. After coating, the felt coated with catalyst was calcined at between 300-500 degrees C, for 3 hours in air. The catalyst was subjected to an activation treatment, preferably reduction at 300-400 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The temperature of the first fluid is at least 50degreesC lower at the outlet than at the inlet. A characteristic heat transfer length for the heat transfer between the microchamber and the microchannel(s) is less than 0.5 cm. The microchamber has a dimension parallel to the heat transfer direction that is less than 0.2 mm. The temperature of the heat exchange fluid is less than 50degreesC. The average heat transfer density between the microchamber and the channel is greater than 0.1, preferably greater than 0.5, more preferably greater than 1.5 W/cm3 of heat exchange core volume.Preferred Methods: The exothermic chemical process includes reaction consisting of water gas shift, Sabatier process, Ammonia synthesis, methanol synthesis, esterification, olefin hydration, preferential oxidation, or selective methanation, preferably water gas shift reaction or sulfur adsorption process. Reaction with the catalyst occurs via diffusion of reactants into porous catalyst in a direction transverse to the bulk flow of the reactants past the catalyst material.Preferred Components: The reaction microchamber includes planar porous catalyst material and reactants flow by this catalyst material. It defines a first centerline and the channel defines a second centerline in plane parallel to the first centerline and spaced from it by less than 1 cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The solar cell is bonded to the thin plate by an adhesive. The solar cell comprises a transparent film (13) attached on a front face of the solar cell, and an insulating sheet (14) interposed between a rear face of the solar cell and the thin plate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The crystalline substrate comprises crystalline silicon substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The silicon light-receiving device further comprises a control film on one side of the substrate. Preferred Condition: Micro-cavities of various sizes are formed so that the silicon light-receiving device is used as a solar cell for absorbing light of various wavelengths of 100-1100 nm. The control film is formed of silicon oxide to a proper thickness that enables the doped region to be formed to the ultra-shallow depth. Preferred Component: The doped region is formed by non-equilibrium diffusion dopant.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The dopant comprises boron or phosphorus. Preferred Substrate: The substrate is formed of silicon, silicon carbide or diamond.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The method further includes passing the heat transfer fluid circulated through the fuel cell stack and the chemical hydride hydrogen generation system through a heat exchanger (14), and operating the heat exchanger to control the temperature of the solution.The heat exchanger is actuated to maintain chemical hydride solution at a desired temperature once the reactor and the fuel cell stack reach desired operating temperature. Preferred Component: The heat exchanger includes a fan for forcing cooling air to effect heat transfer.A temperature transducer is connected to the fan for actuating the fan in dependence upon the sensed temperature.The system also includes a first level switch (24) on gas-liquid separator (16) for the level chemical hydride solution in the separator and a level control valve connected between the separator and the storage tank and to the first level switch.The control valve is actuated to maintain a desired level of the chemical hydride solution with the separator.A pressure transducer is connected for monitoring the pressure of generated hydrogen. A pressure controller is connected to the transducer and to the first pump for controlling the pressure of generated hydrogen.The fuel cell stack comprises individual fuel cells, and coolant ducks are provided between the fuel cells and connected in the heat transfer circuit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The solar device further comprises a well in the multijunction solar cell structure to provide electrical separation between the subcells and the bypass diode; and shunt having two contacting ends. Stop etch layer is deposited over the lateral conduction layer. A first contact layer is deposited adjacent the bypass diode and a second contact layer is disposed adjacent the substrate. The bottom solar cell includes a p-doped germanium (Ge) layer deposited over the Ge substrate; an n-doped Ge emitter layer deposited or formed by diffusion over the base; and an n-doped nucleation layer deposited over the emitter layer. The middle solar cell includes a p-doped back surface field (BSF) layer deposited over the bottom solar cell; a p-doped gallium arsenic (GaAs) layer (113) deposited over the BSF layer; an n-doped GaAs emitter layer deposited over the base layer; and an n-doped indium gallium phosphide (InGaP2) window layer deposited over the emitter layer.The top solar cell includes a p-doped indium gallium aluminum phosphide (InGaAlP) BSF layer deposited over the middle solar cell; a p-doped GaInP2 base layer deposited over the InGaAlP BSF layer; an n-doped GaInP2 emitter layer deposited over the InGaP2 base layer; and an n-doped aluminum indium phosphide window layer deposited over the GaInP2 emitter layer. The device further comprises an n-doped GaAs cap layer deposited between the top solar cell and the lateral conduction layer. The p-type layer of the bypass diode is a p-doped GaAs layer for conducting electrical current. The i-type layer is a lightly doped GaAs layer for reducing defect breakdown.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: An insulator is sandwiched between the cathode and the substrate. The substrate and cathode both comprise a tetravalent element containing a predetermined amount of a trivalent or pentavalent element. A sunlight reflection member is provided for letting the sunlight, which is moving toward the electron accelerator and to the electron collector, reflect in a direction of the electron emitter. The electron accelerator reflects the sunlight, and is constructed to let the sunlight which irradiates on it and the sunlight directed to the electron collector reflect in a direction of the electron emitter.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electron emitter comprises carbon, a material having diamond-crystal structure, carbon nanotubes, or nitride boron nanotubes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The heater is a resistive heater, or a microcombustion heater. A catalytic combustion microfluidic heat source is also included. A porous getter structure is located at the exit side of porous membrane.Preferred Parameters: The catalyst material covers a surface area of the porous membrane measuring at least 1 m2/cm3. The capillary microchannels support a fuel flow rate of 1-600 microl/minute.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The catalyst material consists of platinum, platinum-ruthenium, nickel, palladium, copper, copper oxide, ceria, zinc oxide, alumina, and/or their alloys. The porous membrane comprises porous thick film consisting of porous silicon, anodic alumina, zerogel, and/or glass. The substrate consists of silicon, glass or ceramic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The metal oxide is tin oxide, silicon oxide, or preferably zinc oxide. The carbon fiber construction is a woven or non-woven carbon fiber construction.Preferred Method: The metal oxide is deposited for not more than 30 minutes. EXAMPLE - Toray carbon paper 060 was treated with Nalco 2327 colloidal silica. When the suspension was diluted to 1 wt.% deionized water, the zeta potential on the particles was found to be -26 mV. The carbon paper was used as the anode of the electrolytic cell and a mild steel plate was used as the cathode. The coated carbon paper had a zero degree of advancing and a zero degree receding contact angle. Wicking of water was almost instantaneous.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The oxygen-containing-hydrocarbon is selected from a group consisting of methanol, dimethyl ether and ethanol. The nuclear reactor is preferably a fast breeder reactor. Steam extraction is performed at 250-350degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The alcohol derivative is selected from the group consisting of ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene alcohol, glycerol and propylene glycol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Sensor: The sensor includes an electrocatalyst that changes activity to hydrogen according to the amount of carbon monoxide present. The metals used are selected from platinum, ruthenium, silver, copper, palladium, rhodium, iron, chromium, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, manganese and tungsten.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The cooling membrane portions, the first and second tank portions, the cavities and the air flow path are formed by a first sheet (29) and a number of piled second (31) and third sheets (35). The air flow path comprises air supply portions on the first sheet, at least one air outflow portion on the second sheets, at least one air inflow portion on the third sheets, and at least one air injection hole on the air inflow and outflow portions. The air inflow and outflow portions are in at least one row, preferably spaced from each other, orthogonal to a flowing direction of the first gas on the cooling membranes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The first gas is a reformed gas containing carbon monoxide, the second gas is air and the catalyst is a carbon monoxide oxidation catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The reformer temperature maintenance system includes recycling device that recycles part or all of the reformate gas containing excess hydrogen upstream of the reformer, and reformer temperature maintenance device, which keeps the reformer warm using gas produced through burning of excess hydrogen in the reformate gas recycled by recycling device. The controller further functions to stop the supply of raw material vapor and gas containing oxygen to the reformer when it is determined that excess hydrogen is produced, compute a target flow rate of reformate gas recycled, control the recycling device, compute the target flow rate of recycled reformate gas based on flow rate of excess hydrogen produced, set ration that distributes the reformate gas containing excess hydrogen between the reformer and burner, compute the target flow rate of recycled reformate gas, bias the distribution ratio, equalize the distribution ratio, and supply air for burning the excess hydrogen.The fuel cell system further includes burner that burns hydrogen in the reformate gas and vaporizer that vaporizes raw material by the heat of the burner.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butyleneglycol. It is a bicontinuous emulsion comprising a coexisting mixture of 60-40 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro-emulsion and 40-60 vol.% of a hydrocarbon-in-water macro-emulsion.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon is in the boiling range of -1-260degreesC. The water is free of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of the long form of The Periodic Table of Elements. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700degreesC. The microemulsion has a viscosity that decreases at 15-80degreesC. It has a conductivity of 3-25 mhos at 25degreesC. It is stable to freeze thaw cycles at -54-50degreesC. EXAMPLE - Naphtha, a hydrocarbon mixture distilling at 50-400degreesF was used as the hydrocarbon and double distilled deionized water as the aqueous phase. Alkyl ethoxylated triazine surfactant (I) (1 wt.%, R' = 12C, n = 4) was added. Interfacial tension of the solution was determined by pendant drop method. Greater than 96% reduction in interfacial tension was observed indicative of the propensity for spontaneous emulsification of the water and hydrocarbon phases. The solution exhibited an interfacial tension of 0.9 dynes/cm as compared to naphtha/water solution, which was 53.02 dynes/cm. The surfactant decomposed at 250-400degreesC. At 400degreesC, 95% of the surfactant had decomposed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The microemulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butyleneglycol. It is a bicontinuous microemulsion comprising a coexisting mixture of at least 90 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon microemulsion and 1-10 vol.% of a hydrocarbon-in-water micro-emulsion.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon is in the boiling range of -1-260degreesC. The water is free of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of the long form of The Periodic Table of Elements. The surfactant thermally decomposes below 700degreesC. The microemulsion has a viscosity that decreases at 15-80degreesC. It has a conductivity of 0.5-15 mhos at 25degreesC. It is stable to freeze thaw cycles at -54-50degreesC. EXAMPLE - Naphtha, a hydrocarbon mixture distilling at 50-400degreesF was used as the hydrocarbon and double distilled deionized water as the aqueous phase. Alkyl ethoxylated ammonium salicylate (I) (0.8 wt.%, n = 17, x+y = 5) was added. Interfacial tension of the solution was determined by pendant drop method. Greater than 96% reduction in interfacial tension was observed indicative of the propensity for spontaneous emulsification of the water and hydrocarbon phases. The solution exhibited an interfacial tension of 0.78 dynes/cm as compared to naphtha/water solution, which was 53.02 dynes/cm. The surfactant decomposed at 250-700degreesC. All of the surfactants decomposed at 400degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butyleneglycol. It is a bicontinuous emulsion comprising a coexisting mixture of at least 80 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro-emulsion and 1-20 vol.% of a hydrocarbon-in-water micro-emulsion.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon is in the boiling range of -1-260degreesC. The water is free of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of the long form of The Periodic Table of Elements. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700degreesC. The emulsion has a viscosity that decreases at 15-80degreesC. It has a conductivity of 3-15 mhos at 25degreesC. It is stable to freeze thaw cycles at -54-50degreesC. EXAMPLE - Naphtha, a hydrocarbon mixture distilling at 50-400degreesF was used as the hydrocarbon and double distilled deionized water as the aqueous phase. Ethoxylated alkyl amine (I) (0.75 wt.%, n = 11, x+y = 10) was added. Interfacial tension of the solution was determined by pendant drop method. Greater than 96% reduction in interfacial tension was observed indicative of the propensity for spontaneous emulsification of the water and hydrocarbon phases. The solution exhibited an interfacial tension of 0.78 dynes/cm as compared to naphtha/water solution, which was 53.02 dynes/cm. The surfactant decomposed at 250-700degreesC. At 400degreesC, complete decomposition had occurred.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol consisting of methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tertiary butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butyleneglycol. It is a bicontinuous emulsion comprising a coexisting mixture of at least 90 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro emulsion and 1-10 vol.% of a hydrocarbon-in-water micro emulsion.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon is in the boiling range of -1-260degreesC. The water is free of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and Group II elements of the long form of The Periodic Table of Elements. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700degreesC. The microemulsion has a viscosity that decreases at 15-80degreesC. It has a conductivity of 3-15 mhos at 25degreesC. It is stable to freeze thaw cycles at -54-50degreesC. EXAMPLE - Naphtha, a hydrocarbon mixture distilling at 50-400degreesF was used as the hydrocarbon and double distilled deionized water as the aqueous phase. Ethoxylated branched alkyl alcohol (I) (1 wt.%, R = 12C branched, n = 10) was added. Interfacial tension of the solution was determined by pendant drop method. A greater reduction in interfacial tension was observed by branched surfactant compared to linear counterpart. This was indicative of higher emulsification efficiency for the branched surfactant over linear counterpart. The solution exhibited an interfacial tension of 0.75 dynes/cm as compared to naphtha/water solution, which was 53.02 dynes/cm and naphtha/water with 1 wt.% ethoxylated linear alkyl alcohol, which had interfacial tension of 3.2 dynes/cm. The surfactant decomposed at 250-400degreesC. All of the surfactants decomposed at 400degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The separating includes the use of a rigid knife, mechanical dicing, chemical etching, or lithography process. The attaching includes the use of glue, metal, fusion, pressure, or van der waals force. The removal of the provisional substrate includes physical polishing, chemical etching, or laser removal. After removal of the provisional substrate, a semiconductor process is performed on the permanence substrate. After separating the device structure, the semiconductor process is performed.Preferred Component: The provisional and permanence substrates are a conductor, semiconductor and/or insulator.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The conductor is made of metal having layer(s), substrate having coated metal layer(s), alloy substrate, or substrate having alloy layers. The semiconductor material is silicon, germanium, silicon nitride (SiNx), Si carbide, silicide, aluminum nitride (AlN), gallium nitride (GaN), Ga arsenide, or indium phosphide. The insulation material is Si dioxide, Al2O3, glass or quartz.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The glue includes compound, polymer or metal glue layer(s).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The chemical etching process is performed using acid selected from group consisting of mixed acid of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metal: The metal thin film comprises silver, copper, gold, platinum, palladium, aluminum, titanium and nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Layers: The transparent conductive layers contain a transparent electroconductive oxide selected from tin doped indium oxide, fluorine doped tin oxide, aluminum doped zincic acid compound, gallium doped zincic acid compound and zinc doped indium oxide. The porous metal oxide semiconductor layer contains metal selected from zinc, niobium, tin, titanium, vanadium, indium, tungsten, tantalum, zirconium, molybdenum and manganese.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The target material is selected indium, strontium or zinc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Substrate: The substrate is a plastic board or plastic film having a silicon dioxide film or oxynitride silicon film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The substrate is an electrically conductive wire, preferably steel, iron or nickel, and is moved through one or more deposition chambers. The nanocarbons are grown in a continuous or semi-continuous manner, preferably using chemical vapor deposition at 500-700degreesC to coat the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The second flow path also has a shift catalyst part, or a shift catalyst part and a CO selective oxidation-catalyst part. The reformer also has a third heat recovery part positioned adjacent the second heat recovery part between the shift catalyst part and the CO selective oxidation part. The reformer has a reforming catalyst part which produces a reformed gas based on hydrogen by a steam reforming reaction of a fuel gas with water vapor, a shift catalyst part which lowers CO in the reformed gas by an aqueous shift reaction, and a CO selective oxidation catalyst part which reduces CO in the reformed gas by reaction with oxygen. The reformer has a combustion gas flow path for heating the reformed catalyst part. The first flow path has a reforming catalyst part and a second heat recovery part for recovering heat in the fuel gas and water vapor sent to the reforming catalyst part by recovering heat from at least 1 of the shift catalyst part, the gas passed through the shift catalyst part and the CO selective oxidation catalyst part. The second flow path has a first heat recovery part which supplies heat to a reforming catalyst part by recovering heat from gas passed through the reforming catalyst part.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The two catalyst beds are enclosed in a common housing (14).Preferred Condition: The hydrogen-producing reaction is a steam reforming reaction or a water gas shift reaction.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The first catalyst comprises an oxidation catalyst (23) including ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, iridium, gold, or platinum.The oxygen-sensitive catalyst comprises a reduced catalyst including chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, or vanadium.Preferred Property: The ability of the oxygen-sensitive catalyst to promote a hydrogen-producing reaction in the reactant feed is diminished by exposure to oxygen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The pattern forming a current collection grid is provided after the application of the back electrode and the permanent carrier. The etch resist is a permanent etch resist provided with a color to distinguish the grid from the solar cell unit and/or to camouflage the grid on the solar cell unit. The temporary substrate is flexible in which a flexible permanent carrier is applied, and the process is carried out by way of a roll-to-roll process. Preferred Configuration: The ratio between the grid height and the grid width (determined over the broadest part of the cross-section of the grid) is at least 0.1, preferably at least 0.3. The grid has its largest width at the interface with the TCO layer and tapers off to its smallest cross-section in a curved fashion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The photovoltaic cell further comprises a first passivation/confinement cladding layer interposed between the substrate and the first sub-cell and a second passivation/confinement cladding layer positioned on the first sub-cell. The photovoltaic cell is a solar photovoltaic cell or a thermophotovoltaic cell. There is a third passivation/confinement cladding layer interposed between the first interconnection layer and the second sub-cell, and a fourth passivation/confinement cladding layer positioned on the second sub-cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The perovskite oxide is strontium titanate or barium titanate. The first sub-cell is fabricated from semiconductor material consisting of gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP), GaAsxP1-x, GaxIn1-xP, GaxIn1-xAs, GaAsxSb1-x, AlxIn1-xGa1-xAs, AlxGayIn1-x-yP, GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y, AlxGa1-xAsySb1-y, AlxGayIn1-x-yAs, or GexSi1-x, preferably GaAs or InP.x, y = 0-1;andx+y = 0-1.The first sub-cell is fabricated from GaAs or GaxIn1-xAs and the second sub-cell is fabricated from GaxIn1-xP or GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol. The emulsion is a bi-continuous emulsion comprising a co-existing mixture of at least80 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro emulsion and 1-20 vol.% hydrocarbon-in water micro emulsion.Preferred Materials: The alcohol is methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butylene glycol. The water is free of salts of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and II elements of the Periodic Table.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon boils at -1 to 260degreesC. The emulsion has a viscosity decreases with decreasing temperature at 15-80degreesC. It has conductivity of 3-15 mhos at 25degreesC. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The mixing is conducted for 1 second to 15 minutes by an in-line mixer, static paddle mixer and/or sonicator. EXAMPLE - An emulsion was prepared using Naphtha (a hydrocarbon mixture distilling in the boiling range 10 to 204degreesC) and doubly distilled deionised water. The interfacial tension was measured at 53.02 dynes/cm. The same emulsion was prepared but including 0.04 wt% alkyl sorbitan surfactant (Span 80 RTM structure 1 with R = 18C alkyl) and 0.06 wt% alkoxylated alkyl sorbitan surfactant (Tween 80 RTM structure 2 with R = 18C alkyl, M = C2 and n =20). The interfacial tension was found to have dropped to 1.4 dynes/cm, a drop of more than 96%. It was observed that the surfactants decomposed in the temperature range 250-700degreesC with substantially all the surfactant being dissolved at around 400degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: (a) has a weight ratio for ethylene:alpha-olefin of 35:65-95:5, an iodine value of 0.5-50 and an intrinsic viscosity as measured in decalin at 135 degrees C of 0.01-5.0 dl/g. Unconjugated polyene is of formulae (I) or (II).n = 0-10;R, R3 = or 1-10C alkyl;R2 = H or 1-5C alkyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The layer in the stack accessible through the second access path comprises an anode layer or an ion exchange layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The inhibitory substance is sulfide, thiocyanic acid ion or thiol group. The solvent is acetonitrile.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Binder: The binder is plastic resin or cyanoethyl compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Binder: The binder is a conductive resin or cyanoethyl compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substance: The substance which reduces the increase in crystal size is copper iodide and contains sulfur.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Attachment: The attachment is a metal oxide.Preferred Support: The monolithic support contains inorganic compound fiber consisting of silica, alumina, boria, zirconia and/or magnesia. The monolith type support consists of inorganic compound chosen from cordierite, mullite, silicon carbide and/or complex oxide of lithium, aluminum and silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The fluoropolymer of the outer layer has a melting point above 200degreesC, preferably 250degreesC and especially 280degreesC. A low melting fluoropolymer is also included to form a thermoplastic intermediate layer in direct contact with the solar cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst comprises 10-80 (preferably 20-40) at.% platinum, 2-70 (preferably 20-50) at.% zinc, and 5-80 (preferably 25-40) at.% nickel and/or iron.Preferred Component: The support particles are inorganic supports. The fuel comprises hydrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The catalyst can be an alloy comprising platinum, zinc, and nickel and/or zinc.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The support particles are organic supports. The fuel comprises hydrocarbon-based fuel, or methanol. The hydrocarbon fuel is hydrocarbon-based fuel from saturated hydrocarbons, garbage off-gas oxygenated hydrocarbons, and/or fossil fuels.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The support particles are carbon supports or electrically conductive polymer supports. EXAMPLE - A sputtered alloy composition comprising 25.49 at.% platinum, 8.65 at.% zinc, and 65.86 at.% nickel was prepared and evaluated. The results showed -0.821 mA/cm2 end current density, -1.553 end current density/weight fraction of A, and 3.921 relative activity compared to internal platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system is a direct methanol fuel cell system.The pores are mesoporous acicular pores (240) and/or macroporous acicular pores.The substrate is derived from noncarbonaceous solid material.The substrate has opposing top and bottom surfaces.The substrate is derived from silicon wafer.The conformal electrically conductive layer consists of atomic deposition layer(s) formed by atomic layer deposition technique.The electrode structure further includes catalyst particles dispersed across a surface of the conformal electrically conductive layer.The catalyst particles consist of bi-metallic particles derived from platinum and ruthenium precursors.Preferred Dimension: The pores have a diameter of 0.5-10 microns.The opposing top and bottom surfaces are positioned apart from each other by, distance of 300-500 microns.Preferred Ratio: The pores are acicular pores having aspect ratios greater than 50:1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The conformal electrically conductive layer is derived from dodecacarbonyltriruthenium (Ru3(CO)12), bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionatol) (1,5-cyclooctadiene) ruthenium (II) (Ru(C11H19O2)2(C8H12)), bis(ethylcyclopentadienyl) ruthenium (II) (Ru((CH3CH2)C5H4)2), ruthenium (III) ethoxide (Ru(OC2H5)3), biscyclopentadienylruthenium (ruthenocene) (Ru(C5H5)2), ruthenium (III) acetylacetonate (Ru(CH3COCHCOCH3)3), tris (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate) ruthenium (III) (Ru(TMHD)3), or ruthenium (III) chloride (RuCl3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The alkali metal is lithium or potassium. The carbon is in the form of graphite, carbon powder, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, fullerene or activated carbon. The alkali metal and the carbon are in a molar ratio of 5000/1 to 1/200, preferably 500/ to 1/24.Preferred Compound: The alkali-carbon compound is an alkali-C intercalated compound of formula LiC6, LiC12, LiC24, KC8 or KC24.Preferred Method: The alkali-C intercalated compound is formed by pounding carbon with alkali metal under inert gas atmosphere, then pressing into pellets under pressure of 1-100000 atmospheres. The inert gas is argon and/or helium. EXAMPLE - 60 mg of graphite were mixed with 350 mg of lithium metal. The mixture was pounded with a pestle as homogeneously as possible, and then pressed into pellets for testing. 300 mg of the pellets were put into a Pressure Composition Isotherm (PCI) sample container for Auto-soak measurement at 180 degrees C and 30 atmospheres of pure hydrogen. After 3 hours of absorption, 33 mg of hydrogen were absorbed. XRD measurements showed that the product only has lithium hydride (LiH), graphite and weak lithium oxide (Li2O) phases.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The mechanical vibratory motions are embodied as traveling waves along walls of the passages. They have a frequency of 20-100 KHz. They are intentionally generated ultrasonic vibrations of the supporting structure or of the flow velocity of the reacting substances having frequency of 20-1000 KHz. They are generated by vibration exciters attached to the catalyst supporting structure. The exciter is outside the catalytic reactor, and is connected to the catalytic reactor by a waveguide. The ultrasonic mechanical vibration motions have both longitudinal and transverse components in relation to flows of the substances.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The oxygen ion transparent layer is formed from the ceramics of zirconium oxide group. The oxygen ionization catalyst layer comprises tungsten oxide. The carbon dioxide capture layer comprises zirconic acid lithium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ligand: The chemical species of the ligand are a coordinating anion and a coordinating solvent(s).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxides: The semiconductor has titanium oxide as main component. The electroconductive whisker has tin oxide as main component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layer: The foam sealant has film layer of water activation property formed using water-soluble polymer having weight average molecular weight of 50000-200000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The viscosity-enhancing agent is incorporated in the electrolyte. The treatment is effective to reduce the ratio of iron to chromium content in the surface region of the stainless steel compared with iron to chromium ratio prevailing prior to treatment. The current density to which the stainless steel surface is subjected during treatment is constant. The stainless steel is austenitic steel. It comprises 300 or 400 series stainless steel, e.g. 316 stainless steel. The treated surface of the stainless steel is coated with electrically conductivity enhancing material following treatment prior to incorporation in the assembly.Preferred Component: The treated surface of the stainless steel is coated with titanium nitride, chromium nitride, or electrocatalytically active material. The electrochemical assembly comprises bipolar plates, separator plates, flow field plates, and/or current collecting plates.Preferred Composition: The stainless steel has at least15 wt.% nickel.Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte includes acid from sulfuric acid, halogenic acid, nitric acid, chromic acid, oxalic acid, or phosphoric acid.Preferred Condition: The interfacial resistance of the stainless steel is reduced by a factor of at least5% compared with the interfacial resistance prevailing prior to treatment. The treatment is carried out using a current density of 1-100 megaamperes (mA).cm2, and time interval between 0.5-180 minutes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The viscosity of the electrolyte is controlled by the incorporation of organic viscosity enhancing agent, e.g. polyol such as polyethylene glycol or glycerol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Feedstock (13) is heated counter-current against hot product (8) before flowing down an annulus of first reforming section (3a), packed with 4-5mm pellets of NiO reforming catalyst deposited on calcium aluminate. Hot burner gases flow through the larger bores (6b), counter-current to the feedstock in the catalyst packing. Product gases flow up the bores (6a), which are arranged peripherally around the reactor, alternating with the heating bores (6b). Typically the reactor is operated at 680-740degreesC and 0-1.75 bar.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The electrodes may optionally be adapted to parallel or concentric assemblies of equal surface area.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Properties: An average value of aspect ratios of the crystal grains appearing in the principal surface of the substrate is more than 4.Preferred Components: The ingot comprises metallurgical grade multicrystalline silicon.Preferred Methods: The epitaxial growth of the silicon film is carried out using a liquid phase epitaxy method by vapor phase epitaxy method.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The maintaining step includes maintaining the region of effervescence at 1 cm above the precipitate. The sodium hydroxide concentration is caused to oscillate equal amounts up and down. The reacting step includes addition step or retaining the aluminum on a floating screen. An amount of sodium hydroxide in the vessel is maintained constantly, and water and aluminum are added to the vessel according to the rate of consumption of aluminum and the water in the step of reacting. Water is added at 4-170 (preferably 75)degreesC, and in sequence, with the aluminum being added first.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compositions: The aqueous solution contains 1.2-19 (preferably 5-10) M sodium hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: A change in the optical bandgap of the material forming the p type base layer is at least 20 meV, and a region where the optical bandgap changes is at least 0.3 mum in a thickness direction. The n type emitter layer and p type base layer are formed of ternary or quaternary material including gallium arsenide having an optical bandgap of 0.9-1.2 eV.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The ternary material includes indium gallium arsenide having an optical bandgap of 0.9-1.4 eV. The quaternary material includes indium gallium arsenide phosphide having an optical bandgap of 0.9-1.4 eV. When a material of a portion in contact with the n type emitter layer is Inx0Ga1-x0As and the material at a plane opposite to the pn junction is Inx1Ga1-x1 in a p type base layer of InxGa1-xAs, a relationship of x greater than 0 to 0.3 and x0-x1at least0.15 is satisfied. When a material of the portion in contact with the n type emitter layer is Inx0Ga1-x0Asy0P1-y0 and the material at a plane opposite to the pn junction is Inx1Ga1-x1Asy1P1-y1 in a p type base layer of InxGa1-xAyP1-y, a relationship of x greater than 0 to 0.3 and x0-x1at least0.015 or y1-y0at least0.02 is satisfied.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Only one or two sides of the outer edge of the aluminum paste electrode are thicker than any remaining part of the aluminum paste electrode. The thickness of the aluminum paste electrode successively changes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The ion exchange membrane has opposite anode and cathode sides (13, 14). The gas diffusion layer and the porous metal coating are disposed on either the anode or cathode side. The gas diffusion layer has first and second portions, and comprising a carbon fiber sheet having porosity.Preferred Property: The fuel cell operates at less than 300 degreesC. The second portion has porosity greater than the first portion. The outwardly facing surface has a topology into which the porous metal coating conforms and is deposited at 8-150 mg/cm2 of the surface area. The resulting gas diffusion layer has an air impedance of 23-300 seconds Gurley. The porous metal coating includes metals or their alloys, oxides, nitrides or carbides having a density of 2-19 g/cm. It may comprise nickel deposited at 28-150 mg/cm2 or aluminum deposited at 8-40 mg/cm2. It has an average thickness of 25-400 microns. The contact resistance (84) and pressure (83) can each be expressed as a logarithm defined by a line having a slope of 0 to -0.8. The contact resistance is constant when exposed to a pressure of 3-300 lbs/in2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The porous metal coating comprises alloy, oxide, nitride or carbide. It includes metals in the periodic table of elements having atomic numbers of 13-74. It includes aluminum, titanium, nickel, iron, stainless steel, manganese, zinc, chromium, copper, zirconium, silver or tungsten, their alloys, nitrides, oxides or carbides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The anode comprises substrate, catalyst layer having catalyst applied on substrate, and electrocatalyst layer having electrocatalyst applied on substrate. The purification system further comprises fluid connection between outlet of a cathode and purified fluid outlet port, electrolytic cells having porous bipolar flow field plates in series stack (17), and purge valve connected to cathode. Preferred Condition: The power supply voltage is set greater than 0.6 volts. The electric potential is applied continuously or periodically. It is applied for periods greater than 100 seconds. The electrolytic cell is operated at 80degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrocatalyst comprises carbon supported platinum-ruthenium catalyst and perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer. The substrate comprises non-woven carbon fiber paper. The major component comprises gaseous hydrogen. The fluid supply additionally comprises water. The oxidant is oxygen.Preferred Composition: The fluid comprises less than 1% carbon monoxide. The oxygen directed to anode inlet is less than 0.5% of the volume of fluid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The oxidizable impurity is carbon monoxide or methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Cell: The electrolytic cell is a solid polymer electrolyte electrolytic cell. The catalyst layer comprises carbon supported aluminum catalyst and polytetrafluoroethylene binder. The electrolyte is perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layer: The protective layer is olefin-type rubber layer or resin coating layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The metal catalyst is platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, rhenium or tungsten supported on activated carbon, alumina, silica, zeolite, meso porous material or carbon nano tube.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydride: The hydride is monocyclic aromatic compound such as benzene, toluene, xylene and mesitylene, bicycle aromatic compound such as naphthalene, and methylnaphthalene, tricycle aromatic compound such as anthracene, or aromatic polymer. The organic hydride is hydrogenated mono-, bi- or tri-cyclic aromatic compounds, or hydrogenated aromatic compound. The monocyclic hydrogenated aromatic compound is cyclohexane, methyl- or dimethyl-cyclohexane. The bicyclic hydrogenated aromatic compound is tetralin, decalin or methyldecalin. The tricyclic hydrogenated aromatic compound is tetradecahydroanthracene. The hydride is aromatic siloxane compound, aromatic silane compound containing phenyl, naphthyl or anthracene group or their oligomers such as disilane or trisilane, or its derivative. The aromatic silane derivative is annular cyclohexyl methyl siloxane, triphenyl methyl siloxane, tetraphenyl tetramethyl siloxane or pentaphenyl pentamethyl siloxane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The aromatic compound is aromatic phenylene polymer, polyphenylene dendrimer, polyvinyl naphthalene, polyvinyl anthracene, polystyrene, polyvinyl toluene or polymeric resin material such as rosin. The organic hydride is preferably hexylmethyl siloxane-methyl cyclohexyl silane copolymer. Preferred Film: The electrolyte film is solid polymer electrolyte film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The primary side of the membrane faces a first chamber (8a) intended as a reaction chamber for at least a part of the reforming process comprising converting primary fuel to hydrogen and carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide, inter alia.The primary side of the membrane is at least partially coated with a layer of reformer catalyst (9). The system is arranged to supply primary fuel, water, and air to the first chamber. The supply of air is separately arranged so that the proportion of air in the first chamber can be varied. The secondary side of the membrane faces a second chamber (8b) through which a flow of flushing gas, preferably air, is arranged to pass.The flushing gas has a water content that approximately corresponds to the water content in the first chamber. The flow of flushing gas is arranged to pass along the membrane in the opposite direction to a main direction of flow in the first chamber.The system comprises at least one heat exchanger (5) to transfer heat between at least one flow (2, 4) that is leaving a chamber and at least one flow (1, 3) entering a chamber.The membrane exhibits a zeolite or zeolite-like structure, or microporous structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst comprises platinum (10-50, preferably 20-40 at.%), molybdenum (0.1-60, preferably 10-50 at.%), and nickel, iron, tin and/or tungsten, preferably nickel (5-80, preferably 10-70 at.%). When nickel is used as the metal, the catalyst comprises platinum (30-55, preferably 50-70 at.%), molybdenum (1-45, preferably 1-10 at.%), and nickel (5-55, preferably 20-40 at.%). When iron is used as the metal, the catalyst comprises platinum (15-50, preferably 30-40 at.%), molybdenum (5-55, preferably 8-50 at.%), and iron (10-60, preferably 12-56 at.%). When tin is used as the metal, the catalyst comprises platinum (1-70, preferably 10-50 at.%), molybdenum (1-70, preferably 40-70 at.%), and tin (1-70, preferably 5-35 at.%). When tungsten is used as the metal, the catalyst comprises platinum (10-60, preferably 10-30 at.%), molybdenum (10-70, preferably 10-30 at.%), tin (30-50 at.%), and tungsten (10-60, preferably 10-30 at.%).Preferred Component: The fuel comprises hydrogen.Preferred Condition: The catalyst is on the surface of the proton exchange membrane and in contact with the anode; on the anode and in contact with the proton exchange membrane; on the surface of the proton exchange and in contact with the cathode; or on the surface of the cathode and in contact with the proton exchange membrane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fuel comprises a hydrocarbon-based fuel or methanol. The hydrocarbon-based fuel comprises saturated hydrocarbons, garbage off-gas, oxygenated hydrocarbons and/or fossil fuels. EXAMPLE - A catalyst was made comprising (at.%): platinum (28.24), molybdenum (44.08), and tin (27.68).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The binder consists of conductive resin comprising cyanation compound including cyanoethyl compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The base layer is compound containing tin oxide, zinc oxide and indium tin oxide (ITO). The catalyst is chosen from nickel, germanium, cobalt, iron, gold, palladium, aluminum and titanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Properties: The cylinder has an internal diameter of 10-50 mm, and is in the shape of a straight pipe or spiral tubular shape.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The catalyst is heated to 150-400degreesC. The permeated hydrogen is extracted from one end of the pipe through the gap of a double pipe.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The lower hydrocarbon containing gas is methane or a mixed gas of methane and inert gas. EXAMPLE - A catalyst (4 mg) containing H-beta type zeolite supporting nickel, was filled in a quartz reaction tube. A mixed gas of argon (90 vol.%) and hydrogen (10 vol.%) was passed through the reaction tube at a flow rate of 50 ml/minute and contacted with the catalyst at 600 degrees C for 1 hour. The reactor was heated to 500 degrees C and a mixed gas of methane (10 vol.%) and helium (90 vol.%) was passed at a flow rate of 150 ml/minute for 30 minutes. The decomposition of methane was performed and hydrogen was manufactured. When catalysts containing H-beta type zeolites with silica to alumina ratios of 25 and 150 were used, the hydrogen generation rates were 11.68 mmolg/catalyst.minute and 13.05 mmolg/catalyst.minute, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel Cell: The positive and negative electrode liquids are respectively supplied to the positive and negative electrode portions continuously.Preferred Complex: The metal hydrogen complex has general formula:MIMIIIH4-nRn or MII (MIIIH4-nRn)2.MI = alkali metalMII = alkaline earth metal or zincMIII = boron, aluminum or galliumR = hydrocarbon, hydrocarbyl oxy group or acyloxy groupn = 0-3
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condensing Agent: The condensing agent is a thiol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst has a BET specific surface area of at least ca. 20 (especially at least ca. 50)m2/g, a gold content of 0.5-8 (especially 2-5) wt.% and an Au cluster diameter below ca. 6 (especially 1-3)nm. The metal oxide support is Fe2O3, TiO2, Al2 O3, CeO2, Ce(Zr)O2, SiO2, ZrO2, Co3O4, NiO, MnOx or Fe2O3-gamma-Al2O3.Preferred Preparation: The reduction temperature is below 200 degrees C for TiO2, Al2 O3, CeO2, Ce(Zr)O2 or ZrO2 supports, below 140 degrees C for Fe2O3 or Fe2O3-gamma-Al2O3 and below 80 degrees C for Co3O4 or NiO. The reduction is followed by calcining in air at at least 300 (especially 300-400) degrees C. EXAMPLE - A gold/titanium dioxide catalyst with Au content 4.48 wt.%, oxide diameter 21.8nm, BET surface area 65m2/g, Au diameter (X-ray) 1.8nm and reaction rate in a preferential oxidation reaction with an idealized reformate of 6.6mmole/(g(Au)s) was obtained by:    (i) aDDSCing a 0.17M aqueous solution of HAuCl4 (10ml) under pH control (5.1-5.4) within 3 minutes to an aqueous dispersion at 60 degrees C of pre-calcined (670 degrees C) TiO2 powder;    (ii) stirring for 0.5 hours at 60 degrees C;    (iii) washing with water, filtering and vacuum drying at room temperature for ca. 16 hours; and    (iv) drying at 200 degrees C under N2 and, after holding for 0.5 hours at 200 degrees C, treating for 0.5-1 hour with 10% H2 in N2 to give a product showing very wide Au (111) and Au (200) reflexes in X-ray differential spectra.    A control which was calcined but not reduced showed a reaction rate in a preferential oxidation reaction with an idealized reformate of only 3.2 mmole/(g(Au)s).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The inlet channel for the liquid medium is arranged coaxially to the nozzle outlet. The nozzle outlet is formed by a nozzle bore in a covering plate of the gap of the swirl chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst comprises (in wt.%): platinum (0.1-50, preferably 30-40 or 15-25), rhodium (0.1-50, preferably 5-10 or 15-25), molybdenum (0.1-55, preferably 5-35 or 35-45), and nickel (0.1-55, preferably 25-50) or iron (15-25).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The electrically conductive support particle consists of oil furnace black, acetylene black, graphite paper, carbon fabric, or carbon aerogel. The fuel consists of hydrogen or methanol. The hydrocarbon-based fuel consists of saturated hydrocarbons, garbage off-gas, oxygenated hydrocarbons, and/or fossil fuels.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The nickel group alloy contains chromium (12-20) and iron (3-10), and an element (0.5 or less) chosen from lanthanum (0.2 or less) and/or zirconium (0.4 or less).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer is built up from repeating units of formula (I). The diamine is a 4,5-di(3-aminophenyl)imidazole and/or 5-(2-benzimidazole)-1,3-phenylenediamine. The polymer is modified by insertion of other groups, especially a phosphonic acid group, and/or the membrane is doped with an acid or inorganic modifier. EXAMPLE - A dark red mixture contained (g):    (a) 2.6-diaminopyridine (0.4365);    (b) bis-(4-aminophenyl)-ether (1.601);    (c) naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (3.2182);    (d) benzoic acid (7.82); and    (e) cresol (45).    The mixture was heated on a silicone oil bath for 8 hours at 80 degrees C and 24 hours at 190 degrees C, meta-cresol was added (10), the reaction mixture was cooled and poured into ethyl acetate, and the bright brown precipitate obtained was filtered off, washed with ethyl acetate and then with ethanol, and vacuum dried at 80 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell includes a second product channel being directed to a location separate from the fuel cell to cool the separate location. There is an air compressor for receiving the cooled oxidant from the product channel and for compressing the cooled oxidant before being directed to the cathode. A second wet working channel is included in the cell where a portion of the cooled oxidant is passed to be humidified before being directed to the cathode. A second dry working channel is interconnected to the second wet working channel.Preferred Materials: The coolant is a gas or liquid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The metal oxide is zinc, niobium, yttrium, and/or tantalum.Preferred Process: Polyvalent metal compounds are solidified in a solvent in the presence of amphiphilic molecules.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Treatment gas is blown into the fused silicon and fused silicon, fused slag and treatment gas are mixed and stirred. Water vapor can be contained in the treatment gas. A stirring part immersed in the fused silicon, is rotated and a treatment gas blowing port is provided in the stirring part so treatment gas is blown into the fused silicon from the port. The impurities are boron or carbon. The slag contains at least 45 weight% SiO2 and an alkali metal oxide, and at least 1 of an alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate and an alkali metal silicate. EXAMPLE - Silicon oxide powder and calcium oxide powder are mixed in the ratio of 65:35 to give a slag material. Fused silicon of boron concentration 7 ppm, and the slag material are mixed in a ratio of 4:1, and 1kg of this is introduced into a crucible. After making the inside of the melt furnace to an argon atmosphere of 1 atmosphere, the crucible is heated to melt the materials and maintained at 1550 degrees C. Fused slag has a specific gravity larger than the fused silicon and precipitates in the lower part of the crucible. The boron concentration after treatment in the silicon is 1.6 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol. The emulsion is a bi-continuous emulsion comprising a co-existing mixture of at least 60 vol.% hydrocarbon-in-water macro emulsion and 1-40 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro emulsion.Preferred Materials: The alcohol is methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butylene glycol. The water is free of salts of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and II elements of the Periodic Table. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700degreesC.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon boils at -1 - 260degreesC. The emulsion has a viscosity increases with increasing temperature at 15-80degreesC. It has conductivity of 3-40 mhos at 25degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The mixing is conducted for 1 second to 15 minutes by an in-line mixer, static paddle mixer and/or sonicator. EXAMPLE - An emulsion comprising (g) Naphtha (a hydrocarbon mixture distilled in boiling range 10-204degreesC) (50), water (50) and Caprol 3GO (RTM; compound of formula C17H35-CO-O-CH2-(CHOH)7-CH2OH) (1) was prepared.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cartridge comprises a byproduct reservoir (106) including a liquid inlet. The fuel reservoir comprises fuel-containing substance, preferably sodium borohydride. The reaction chamber includes an inlet operably connected to the fuel reservoir, a gas outlet, and a liquid outlet connected to the liquid inlet. A gas permeable/liquid impermeable structure separates the reaction chamber liquid outlet and gas outlet. The open region is defined by a tubular member. The passive structure creates capillary forces that resist fluid flow. The passive structure is a porous structure (128) comprising capillaries axially aligned with one another.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The thermoplastic resin is a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and a fluorovinyl compound having sulfonyl fluoride as functional group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrolyte comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, e.g. solid polymer comprising sulfonic acid groups. The fuel gas supply is a reformer capable of producing hydrogen-containing gas. The electrochemical cell is provided between the fuel gas supply and fuel cell, or the fuel cell is provided between the fuel gas supply and electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell is arranged as a membrane electrode assembly (120). The electrochemical cell comprises a first catalyst layer forming the cathode, a second catalyst layer forming the anode, and a solid electrolyte between the first and second catalyst layers. The cathode may serve as a reference hydrogen electrode. The fuel cell system also includes first and second gas diffusion layers (190, 200); a second electrochemical cell comprising a cathode, an anode connected with the fuel cell electrode, and an electrolyte connected with the cathode and anode; and a mixing chamber connected with the anode and fuel cell electrode.Preferred Method: Changing the potential of anode includes cycling the potential between first and second potentials, e.g. as a function of time or as a function of detected current.Preferred Parameters: The first potential is at a level sufficient for carbon monoxide to adsorb to the anode. The second potential is at a level sufficient is at a level sufficient for the anode to oxidize the adsorbed carbon monoxide. The potential of the anode is sufficient for the anode to oxidize carbon monoxide. The potential of the anode is zero relative to a reference hydrogen electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anode or second catalyst layer comprises ruthenium, molybdenum, or iridium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The nanotubes are carbon fullerenes and are impregnated in the first flow field plate or attached to a surface of the first flow field plate by sputtering or chemical vapor deposition. They are placed only on selected areas of the flow field plates. The gaseous fuel delivery system comprises gas inlet channels in the flow field plate to which the fuel can be transferred from an external source. The nanotubes are in fluid communication with the gas inlet channels. The electrolyte is a proton exchange membrane. The nanotubes are impregnated in a carrier placed on the electrolyte face. The nanotubes (94) are embedded in a layer of gas diffusion layer (85) material or in an electrically conductive layer of a gas diffusion layer material (86).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Element: The metal (M) is zinc, aluminum, chromium or lithium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The thermoplastic resin powder consists of high pressure process low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene and/or polystyrene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: A 1st insulating layer (2) consisting of a nonmetal material is between the hydrogen ion permeable layer and the porous electrode (3), and a 2nd insulating layer (5) consisting of a nonmetal material is between the hydrogen ion permeable layer and the hydrogen ionization electrode (6)The hydrogen-ion permeable layer consists of:(1) metal comprising alloy of magnesium and nickel, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, palladium alloy and aluminum alloy; or(2) beta-alumina-based ceramic material.Either one or both of the 1st insulating layer and the 2nd insulating layer comprises fullerene or carbon nanotubes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred composition:The catalyst activity agent is selected from group comprising ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethyl ether tetrahydrofuran. The aromatic compound in the hydrogen storage material is selected from benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methyl naphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthrene, ethyl benzene, tetrahydronaphthalene or alkyl derivatives.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is selected from at least one of platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, nickel, cobalt, iron, molybdenum, vanadium or rhenium. The catalyst is supported on activated carbon, a carbon nanotube, a molecular sieve, zeolite, alumina or silica gel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The sulfur compound is dimethyl sulfide, tertiary butyl mercaptan and tetrahydro thiophene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The catalyst for methane decomposition has nickel and a zirconium oxide. The unfixed ratio metallic oxide is at least one type of cerium oxide, complex oxide of cerium and a zirconium, an iron oxide, a tungstic acid compound, and an indium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support: The zeolite support is crystalline silicate, ZSM-5 type zeolite, mordenite, A-type zeolite, gamma-alumina or anatase-type titania.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Pigment: The pigment with chlorosulfonic acid group is a polymethine group pigment, a quinone group pigment, a phenyl methane group pigment, a benzopyran group pigment, a porphin group pigment, an azo group pigment, an indigo group pigment, a quinacridone group pigment, a pyrene group pigment, a perylene group pigment or a metal-complex group pigment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - The microorganisms employed are mixed- or pure cultures of the thiobacillus type and/or bacteria isolated from sewage sludge. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for corresponding plant removing hydrogen sulfide from biogas, in which microorganisms immobilized on a stationary phase are continuously wetted and washed by fluid containing oxidant and nutrients to carry away the oxidation products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ion Conductor: The ion conductor comprises a component of carbon cluster and tubular or linear carbon structures having proton releasing groups introduced therein. The proton releasing group is -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H, -OPO(OH)2 and -C6H4-SO3H.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The nonflammable fluid is a fluid that is inert to fuel. It is preferably water and nitrogen gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The burner burns a hydrocarbon fuel at a lean air-fuel ratio to produce the lean combustion gas; and the controller supplies an amount of nonflammable fluid from the nonflammable fluid supply apparatus to the reformer, which is at least 2.0 molar ratio relative to the number of carbon in the lean combustion gas. The nonflammable fluid supply apparatus is a supply apparatus, which supplies the nonflammable fluid upstream of the reformer, or between the reforming reactor and the CO reduction system. The reformer comprises a reforming reactor, which reforms rich raw fuel gas, and a carbon monoxide (CO) reduction system, which reduces the CO concentration in the reformate gas. The controller stops the supply of lean combustion gas from the burner to the reformer, after starting supply of the nonflammable fluid from the nonflammable fluid supply apparatus to the reformer, and starts the supply of nonflammable fluid from the nonflammable fluid supply apparatus to the reformer, after stopping the supply of the lean combustion gas. The fuel reforming system comprises a sensor (18, 19, 20), which detects the outlet temperature of the reforming system, where the controller determines completion of warm-up of the reforming system, based on the outlet temperature of the reforming system; and a hydrogen storage mechanism, which stores hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell during the warm-up operation of the fuel reforming system, where the nonflammable fluid supply apparatus supplies a cathode discharge gas discharged, from the fuel cell after power generation to the reformer, as the nonflammable fluid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The biological catalyst comprises photosynthetic or lithotrophic bacteria, and organotrophic cells. The energy source comprises light, organic compounds or molecular hydrogen. Preferred Method: The method further comprises supplementing the anolyte with an energy source that can be used by the biological catalyst; and determining the concentration of the test compound in the sample.Detection of the presence of a specific organic or inorganic test compound in a sample comprises:(a) providing biosensor comprising electrochemical fuel cell system;(b) placing an anolyte in the anode compartment;(c) placing a catholyte in the cathode compartment;(d) allowing oxidation of a portion of any test compound present in the sample and reduction of a portion of oxidized neutral red;(e) allowing the transfer of electrons from reduced neutral red to the cathode;(f) detecting the generation of an electrical current; and(g) determining the concentration of the test compound in the sample.Measuring the chemical oxygen demand in waste water, comprises:(a) providing an electrochemical fuel system;(b) placing an anolyte in the anode compartment;(c) placing a catholyte in the cathode compartment;(d) allowing the neutral red-mediated converison of chemical reducing power to electricity; and(e) measuring the electrical current generated by the fuel cell system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The electrochemical cell is a fuel cell. Atmospheric air containing oxygen is in communication with the second of the electrodes (16, 20). With chemical conversion of the fluid at the first electrode to provide current flow, oxygen is consumed at the second electrode where water is produced. The dispensing mechanism comprises a pump (34, 134) for dispensing fluid from the reservoir (10, 110). The reservoir has an outlet and a passageway for a passage of fluid from the outlet of the reservoir to the inlet of the pump. The reservoir is a collapsible reservoir which collapses as fuel is dispensed. The electrochemical cell is an electrolytic battery. The electrolyte (18) is a protonic exchange membrane having a solid polymer in which protons are mobile. The fuel cell is an alkaline electrolyte fuel cell or an acid electrolyte fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The fluid (11, 111) comprises an alcohol compound which comprises the fuel for the cell. The alcohol compound is methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, or benzyl alcohol. The alcohol compound is present in at least 20 vol.% of the fluid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The odorant is a fatty acid including acetic acid or butyric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The process also involves controlling the flow rate of methanol into a fuel mixer. The infrared light, preferably narrow band infrared light, is transmitted through a thin interference layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reference liquid is a fixed known concentration of methanol in water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The reforming catalyst contains ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh) or platinum (Pt).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Layer: The transparent photoconductive layer comprises zinc oxide doped with gallium (Ga), gadolinium (Gd) and lanthanum (La).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layer: The metal oxide semiconductor layer contains zinc, niobium, tin, titanium, vanadium, indium, tungsten, tantalum, zirconium, molybdenum or manganese.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The organic silane consists of one or more types of gases chosen from monomethyl silane, dimethylsilane, trimethylsilane and tetramethylsilane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Film: The electroconductive porous film is selected from gold, platinum, silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, zinc, titanium and chromium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The inorganic particles are especially 0.25-50 micron and are oxides, nitrides, silicides, zeolites or graphite. They are SiO2 or TiO2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The indicator is contained in the anode reservoir (202) containing a transparent window (204). The fuel is contained in a dye chamber (210) containing transparent window (204), the dye chamber (210) in fluid contact with anode reservoir (202) and separated from the anode reservoir (202) by membrane (212) which is permeable to the fuel solution but not the dye mixture. Alternatively the fuel is separated from the dye using a dye channel (214).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The dye mixture includes Solvent Blue 37 and responds to methanol concentration within a methanol-water solution by changing color.Preferred Process: The indicator further comprises a photodiode and light emitting device that control the release of fuel by illuminating photodiode by transmitting light through the volume of fuel solution. The fuel indictor may also comprise transparent window (204), fuel scale (206) aligned with color indicator bar (206) that displays a range of possible colors produced by dye mixture in response to various fuel concentrations within fuel solution. The determination of concentration of fuel in solution is made by inspecting the fuel through transparent window (204), the transparent window contained within the fluid-filled chamber in fluid contact with the anode reservoir (202) and visible from exterior of full cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The emulsion further comprises up to 20 wt.% alcohol. The emulsion is a bi-continuous emulsion comprising a co-existing mixture of at least 70 vol.% water-in-hydrocarbon macro emulsion and 1-30 vol.% hydrocarbon-in water micro emulsion.Preferred Materials: The alcohol is methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, n-pentanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or butylene glycol. The water is free of salts of halides, sulfates and carbonates of Group I and II elements of the Periodic Table.Preferred Properties: The hydrocarbon boils at - 1 - 260 degrees C. The emulsion has a viscosity decreases with decreasing temperature at 15-80 degrees C. It has conductivity of 3-15 ohms at 25 degrees C. The surfactant thermally decomposes at 250-700 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The mixing is conducted for 1 second to 15 minutes by an in-line mixer, static paddle mixer and/or sonicator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: In the first surface of the first and second silicon substrates, porous silicon regions (32, 56) are formed overlying the gas delivery tunnels. The porous silicon regions and the gas delivery tunnels are formed by an electrochemical etch technique. A first and a second porous gas diffusion layer are formed on the first surface of the first and second silicon substrates, respectively. The first and second catalyst layers are formed on the first and second porous gas diffusion layers, respectively.Preferred Property: The porous gas diffusion layer is electrically conductive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The combustion catalyst comprises platinum, palladium, cobalt, or copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The electrically conductive film consists of carbon material such as metal oxide, silicon oxide, silicon carbide and diamond.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The amount of ferrous oxide (in wt.%) (0.004-0.024 or 0-0.008, preferably 0.004-0.012 or 0-0.006), cerium oxide (0.025-0.5, preferably 0.025-0.25), a ratio (15-40 or 0-20, preferably 20-30) of ferrous oxide converted into ferric oxide, and the oxide (0.01-0.1) is preferably zinc oxide.The glass composition further contains sodium oxide (10-18), potassium oxide (0-5), silica (65-80), alumina (0-5), magnesium oxide (2-7), calcium oxide (5-15), oxides (5-15, preferably 10-15) of magnesium and calcium, oxides (10-20) of sodium and potassium, sulfur trioxide (0.05-0.3, preferably 0.1-0.3) and boron trioxide (0-5). Preferred Method: The high-permeability glass is prepared using at least an alumina containing silica sand as a raw material, and melting the raw material in an upper portion of a heating tank type melting furnace, thereby reducing nickel sulfide particle in the glass mold. A rapid-cooling strengthening process is performed.Preferred Condition: A total iron oxide content in the glass is made into 0.020 to 0.05 wt.% by adding a zinc compound to glass-making feedstock. The zinc-oxide content is made into 0.001 to 1 wt.%, and a ratio of ferrous oxide converted into ferric oxide is adjusted to less than 40 wt.%.Preferred Properties: The glass plate has a thickness of 3.2 mm, visualization light transmittance of 90% or more and solar radiation transmittance of 87.5% or more. EXAMPLE - A glass was obtained by using a glass composition consisting of silica (in wt.%) (71.7), alumina (1.68), magnesium oxide (4.4), calcium oxide (8.8), sodium oxide (12.5), potassium oxide (0.7), sulfur trioxide (0.15), iron oxide (0.036) and titanium dioxide (0.04). The glass was polished to obtain a thickness of 3.2 mm. The obtained glass had visualization light-transmittance of 91.3%, solar radiation transmittance of 89.5%, ultraviolet-light-transmission rate of 77.9%, and reduced number of nickel sulfide particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Solid: The solid is polysaccharide or protein.
EXAMPLE - A compound for urethane resin is developed as a compound having an isocyanate group. The compound includes tolylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and their polymers, or additional masses of a compound having a plurality of hydroxyl groups. Isocyanuric trimer of aliphatic diisocyanate is especially preferable in terms of stability. To effect three-dimensional crosslinking reaction, it is preferable that a compound having at least three isocyanate groups is used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Heat Exchanger: The bent portion comprises two opposing bent portion formed on each of both edge of the partition board. Projected heights of the tank formation portions joined to each other are different from each other. Fin heights of the outer fins stacked in each of the spaces are different from each other. There are an odd number of outer fins stacked in each of the spaces. The outer fins and partition board carry a catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The system further comprises: a hydrogen storage section in the hydrogen supply channel, which stores hydrogen generated from the battery; an oxygen supply channel that extracts oxygen generated from the battery; an oxygen storage section provided at a midpoint in the oxygen supply channel, which stores oxygen generated from the battery; a fuel gas generating mechanism for generating the fuel gas by allowing fuel containing at least carbon to produce a steam reforming reaction with water; carbon monoxide (CO) reducing mechanism for reducing CO contained in the fuel gas by converting the CO into carbon dioxide through an oxidation catalyst; a water supply channel that supplies water generated during power generation by the fuel cell to the battery.The hydrogen supply channel is connected to the negative electrode of the fuel cell. The oxygen supply channel is connected to the positive or negative electrode of the fuel cell. It is connected to the CO reducing mechanism. The hydrogen and/or the oxygen is generated from the battery by allowing the battery to produce an overcharge reaction. The overcharge reaction is produced through output from the fuel cell, or through power from an external source in grid connect with the fuel cell. The battery is a flood type lead acid battery. The fuel cell is any one of polymer electrolyte type, direct methanol type or solid electrolyte type.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Solid phase purification of metallurgical silicon is carried out by heating a cast silicon disc in the presence of sulfur to a temperature exceeding 600 degrees C but below 1412 degrees C. Slow cooling follows, reaching room temperature. Impurities transferred to the surface are removed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The carbon monoxide removal device comprises an oxidizing agent supply mechanism (6A-C, 15, 16, 18), which supplies oxidizing agent separately to the upstream part and the downstream part. The oxidizing agent supply mechanism comprises a supply passage of the oxidizing agent and an oxidizing agent supply valve, which distributes the oxidizing agent from the supply passage into the upstream part. The controller is programmed to determine a target supply amount of the oxidizing agent to the downstream part, and to the upstream part, so that an amount of carbon monoxide flowing into the downstream part corresponds to an oxidation potential of the downstream part. It controls the oxidizing agent supply mechanism to cause a supply amount of the oxidizing agent, to the downstream part to coincide with the target supply amount of oxidizing agent to the downstream part, and to cause a supply amount of the oxidizing agent to the upstream part to coincide, with the target supply amount of the oxidizing agent to the upstream part. It is programmed to determine a ratio of the oxidation amount in the upstream part with respect to the oxidation amount in the downstream part, and to reduce the supply amount of the oxidizing agent to the downstream part, to prevent a temperature of the downstream part from exceeding a predetermined temperature due to oxidizing reactions in the downstream part. It stores a map presetting a target supply amount of the oxidizing agent to the downstream part, and a target supply amount of the oxidizing agent to the upstream part in response to the power generation load on the fuel cell power plant.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxidizing Agent: The oxidizing agent is air.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The autothermal reformer combines catalytic partial oxidation and steam reforming reactions. The concentration of methane in the fuel cell supply stream is controlled by controlling the temperature of the reformer aspect of the autothermal reformer. The extent of catalytic partial oxidation is controlled by adjusting the amount of oxygen or water available for the reaction. The methane concentration in the output of the autothermal reformer is controlled by adjusting the temperature and/or pressure at which the autothermal reformer is operated. At least one catalyst in the autothermal reformer is provided with a series of optionally catalyst-coated channels configured in such a way that the fuel supply stream may be caused to flow through selected channels based upon the required degree of contact between the fuel supply stream and catalyst in the autothermal reformer to control the methane concentration in the fuel cell feed stream. The extent of steam reforming in the autothermal reformer is adjusted by controlling the steam to carbon ratio in the fuel supply stream.Preferred Components: The autothermal reformer includes a catalyst whose activity varies with the steam to carbon ratio or oxygen to carbon ratio in the fuel supply stream. The fuel supply stream is natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or diesel.Preferred Parameter: The methane concentration of the fuel cell supply stream is at least 10 % by volume.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The mixer comprises a manifold which collects gas from the reforming reactor, a pre-mixer into which gas is led via the manifold, a water injection device which injects water into the gas led into the pre-mixer, and a communicating passage which leads the mixture of water injected from the water injection device and the gas into the shift reactor. The system further comprises a sensor which measures the temperature of the pre-mixer, and a controller to estimate the temperature of the pre-mixer based on the water amount to be injected from the water injection device and increase the water injection amount from the water injection device when the measured pre-mixer temperature is higher than the estimated pre-mixer temperature. It comprises an electrical heater which heats gas introduced to the pre-mixer. A water collection chamber which collects water not vaporized in the pre-mixer is installed midway in the communicating passage. A porous body which traps water not vaporized by the pre-mixer is installed in the communicating passage. The porous body is a mass of fine metal wire or a foam material comprising small holes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The junctions are formed simultaneously in the substrate and in the epitaxial layer. The epitaxial layer also includes a cap layer (140) of silicon material.Preferred Property: The solar cell exhibits on open circuit voltage of 0.6 V. It absorbs photon energy over 0.6-1.1 eV, preferably 0.6-3.5 eV.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The substrate is silicon, preferably high resistivity n-type silicon. The epitaxial layer comprises a material consisting of silicon-germanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: Layer (14) contains nickel-phosphorus alloy containing 0.02-10 wt.% of phosphorus. The thickness of layer (12) is more than the thickness of layer (14). The base material is stainless steel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The many fuel cell unit cells receive a supply of liquid fuel from the storage part. The electrolyte layer is composed of a continuous integrated electrolyte layer or an insulation layer may be included. The many fuel cell unit cells are connected electrically in series. The liquid fuel storage part has an air-liquid separation hole including an air-liquid separation film. This film is a water-repellent treated fluoro resin film or a water-repellent treated laminated composite of a porous fluoro resin film and another vapor permeable material. The negative electrode contains a binder containing no fluorine and having no ion exchange properties. The binder is thermoplastic binder selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, ionomer, butyl rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer and/or ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer. The particle size of the binder is 0.01-100 microns. EXAMPLE - An anode is produced from 50 weight parts ketchen black, 10 weight parts carbon on which platinum particle are supported, 75 parts proton conductive film (Nafion), 10 weight parts PTFE emulsion as fluoro resin binder, and 5 weight parts water. A negative electrode is produced from 50 weight parts ketchen black, 10 weight parts carbon on which platinum-ruthenium alloy is supported, 75 weight parts Nafion, 5 weight parts polyethylene powder, and 10 weight parts water. The electrolyte layer is sandwiched between the electrodes using Nafion 117.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The process which expands the particles is performed by drying or heating at at most 200 degreesC in an atmosphere including water vapor, or by stirring under moist conditions and drying or heating. The metal oxide is of formula (I)(Ln1-xAx)(B1-yFey)O3 (I)Ln = lanthanum (La) and/or a lanthanide;A = calcium (Ca) and/or barium (Ba), preferably strontium (Sr);B = titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co) and/or magnesium (Mg), preferably gallium (Ga);x is 0-1; andy = 0-1.A mixed powder containing a lanthanum oxide, an iron oxide as required and a boron oxide and/or salt but containing no oxide and/or salt of metal A is produced, and a mixed powder of iron oxide as required and the oxide and/or salt of metal A and containing no lanthanum oxide and no oxide and/or salt of metal B is produced. These powders are calcined and mixed in a fixed ratio. Specifically, Ln is lanthanum, A is strontium and B is gallium or titanium. EXAMPLE - Production of the raw material powder comprises introducing La2O3 (23.13g), SrCO3 (8.98g), Ga2O3 (11.41g) and Fe2O3 (6.48g) into a resin pot and mixing for 5 hours, transferring to an alumina crucible and calcining for 3 hours at 1,000 degreesC, introducing to a resin pot and grinding for 30 minutes, and exposing to atmosphere containing water vapor to expand the particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The high temperature fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. The energy recovery mechanism comprises a gas turbine, a free-spooling turbocharger, or a reciprocating heat engine such as Stirling engine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Process: In the catalyst substrate, each body is a wire braid. The body is metal, especially steel. Each sieve is hard soldered, brazed or welded to the walls of the main channel (1).Preferred Components: The catalyst is a noble metal, especially palladium, platinum and/or ruthenium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst is copper-based, especially a copper oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: Pre-heating is provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The step of providing the second layer includes depositing the second layer by atomic layer deposition, sputtering, or spin-on deposition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The metal contained in the metal oxide semiconductor layer is zinc, niobium, tin, titanium, vanadium, indium, tungsten, tantalum, zirconium, molybdenum or manganese.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - Preferred Film: The porous semiconductor film is formed on the base material, in accordance with JISK5400 standards.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Apparatus: The hydrogen storage apparatus contains a binder (preferably a fluororesin) which binds the porous carbon material and the hydrogen occlusion alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The silicon-compound material contains a silanol compound containing Si-OR (R = Cn, Hm, n, m = 1,2,......) or Si-OH.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The active oxygen supply material is alkali metal compound, alkaline earth metal compound or rare earth-metal compound. The alkali metal compound is potassium, cesium, rubidium, sodium or lithium. The alkaline earth metal compound is barium, calcium, strontium or magnesium. The rare earth metal compound is lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium or gadolinium. Preferred Metal: The noble metal is platinum or ruthenium. Preferred Support: The support is alumina, titania, silica or zirconia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The base material is polyallylate resin, polycarbonate resin, crystallized polyethylene-terephthalate resin, polyethylene naphthalate resin, polyether sulfone resin, polyether ether ketone resin, polyether imide resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin and polyimide resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is made from an elastomer, preferably ethylene-propylene-diene monomer, fluorine rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, silicone or epoxy resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Features: The sealing element extends over an external edge (11) of a front surface of an external cell separating plate (1) and over an external edge (26) of a front surface of an external separating plate (4) to hold the composite in a clamp-like manner.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The porous region runs along the sides of the bipolar plate adjoining the electrode chambers. The inlet and outlet lines are arranged on different sides of the bipolar plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The inventive receiver may also include solar cells that convert the solar energy to electrical energy. The electrically conductive interconnect enables solar cells to be positioned within 50 mum from each other. It is of evaporated metal deposited in a pattern from the top side to the rear side of the solar cell. It may be also a welded metallic element wrapped around from the top side to the rear side of the solar cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The second di-electric sheet is made of a polyimide material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The second di-electric sheet is also made of a ceramic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The top metallic sheet is made of a clad-material and the rear metallic sheet is made of copper. The first and second electrically conductive adhesives are made of a metal loaded adhesive or solder material. The heat sink is made of plated copper or nickel plated aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metal Catalyst Composition: The catalyst contains (by mol.%): 40-70 Pt, 10-40 Ru, 5-20 M1 and 5-20 M2, preferably:(a) 40-65 mol.% Pt, 10-40 Ru, 5-20 Rh and 5-20 Ni;(b) 40-70 mol.% Pt, 10-40 Ru, 5-15 Rh and 5-10 Os; or(c) 40-65 mol% Pt, 10-40 Ru, 5-20 Ni and 5-10 Os.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The hydrogen-enriched stream is then cooled and excess water is removed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The synthetic polymer material includes a stabilizing polymer(s), and mixture of block copolymers. The block copolymer(s) has hydrophobic content that exceeds its hydrophilic content.Preferred Property: The polypeptide(s) is capable of providing at least10 picoamps/cm2 of current density. The block copolymer(s) has block(s) having an average molecular weight between 1000-20000 daltons.Preferred Composition: The polypeptide is present in at least0.01-10 wt.% of biocompatible membrane. The synthetic polymer material is provided in at least50-99 wt.% based on weight of biocompatible polymer. The stabilizing polymer(s) is provided in up to 30, preferably 5-20 wt.%, based on the weight of synthetic polymer material.Preferred Condition: The anode and cathode are placed into electrical contact through a circuit, and 10, 50, and 100 milliwatts/cm2 are generated.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The fuel cell further includes electron carrier(s) in anode compartment, second polypeptide(s) in anode compartment, transfer mediator in anode compartment capable of transferring electrons to anode, dielectric material disposed between anode and cathode, first electron transfer mediator, and fuel(s) disposed in anode compartment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The vinyl ether monomer for forming the pendant groups has the formula of the form CA2=CB-O-R-O-CB=CA2. The ionomeric monomer has the formula CF2=CF-o-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2-SO2F. The surfactant is ammonium perfluoro octanoate.Preferred Property: The ionic conductivity of the acid form of a membrane hydrated at room temperature formed from ionomer is greater than 0.15 S/cm at room temperature.Preferred Composition: The concentration of ammonium perfluoro octanoate in aqueous solution is less than 0.5 wt.%, the concentration of the ionomeric monomer is less than 10 wt.% and the vinyl ether compound is less than 0.1 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The porous support is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The initiator is ammonium persulfate. The concentration of the ammonium persulfate is 0.004 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Devices: The first and second porous metal flow fields and the microporous layers have structure consisting of metal foam (102), metal grids, sintered metal particles, and/or sintered metal fibers. The subassembly is a monolithic structure. The gas barrier is a fluid cooled plate. The electrochemical cells are fuel cells or electrolyzer cells. Preferred Components: The gas diffusion matrix comprises conductive carbon fiber. The subassembly has electrocatalyst layer formed onto the diffusion matrices.Preferred Methods: The microporous layer(s) is treated with wet proofing agent. The diffusion matrix is applied as a paste to one side of the microporous layer. The paste is dried at room temperature under vacuum and further dried at 60degreesC and heat treated in an argon atmosphere.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: Each of the fields is made of metal from nickel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, magnesium, and/or titanium. A portion of the metal foam is coated with a second metal consisting of gold, nickel, and/or copper.Preferred Methods: The metal foam is compressed by 40%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The gas diffusion matrix comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. The wet proofing agent comprises fluoropolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxide: The oxide semiconductor particles in the outer layer (22) comprises anatase type titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide and/or niobium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal-microparticle aggregated layer is formed from silver, aluminum, copper, gold, platinum or palladium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Donor: The electron donor of the optoelectric-transducer material is a polymer containing porphyrin in a side chain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: SiO2 or silicate is reacted with H2SO4 in stage (a).The SiF4 obtained in (a) is reacted with an alkali metal (A) to Si and AF; and the sulfate A2SO4 from (c) is converted to chloride (ACl), from which A is recovered, and alkaline earth metal (AE) sulfate, from which H2SO4 is recovered.Stage (b) is carried out in the gas phase or in solution, preferably in an apolar solvent, in which the metal is melted.Water from stage (a) is electrolyzed to oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2), which is used in the production of hydrogen chloride (HCl) which in turn is reacted with AE oxide to the chloride used for recovering metal chloride from the sulfate obtained in stage (e).The H2SO4 used in (c) is obtained by reacting the metal sulfate from (e) with AE (especially calcium) chloride, decomposing the resultant sulfate into AE oxide, SO2 and O2 and reacting SO2 and O2 with water.The metal chloride is electrolyzed to give the metal, preferably alkali metal A, especially sodium, and chlorine.The AE oxide is allowed to react with HCl, giving water and AE chloride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Process: The gas-distributing plate is manufactured by forming apertures on a metal plate by a pressing process to obtain a perforated metal plate, and etching one face of the perforated metal plate to form fine gas channels on the face.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The separator plate further comprises a metallic cooling fluid-distributing plate for defining a cooling fluid flow.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The method further includes electrostatically charging the belt; providing a vibratory dispensing apparatus; and dispensing the material on the belt with the vibratory dispensing apparatus. The material is preheated during the air removing step. Formation of master element includes milling, etching or engraving a predetermined female pattern on a bronze or copper plate.Preferred Component: The embossing tool includes male patterns on an outer surface and cavities on an inner surface. The leveler includes a rotating brush, a curved blade and an auger. The sifter includes a rotating element having series of scrapper blades for moving the material through the screen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The seams comprise a multiple tube including two or more tubes. The abutting rim of the plate is formed by folding toward the outside of the casing giving the form of a flange. An abutting rim of a third plate is inserted between the cylindrical end of the casing and then abutting rim of the plate to be overlapped with the cylindrical end. A sealing member is inserted between the cylindrical end of the casing and the abutting rim of the plate to be overlapped with the cylindrical end. The sealing member is a thin film of an organic material or a paste of an organic or inorganic material. The sealing member is a thin film or a paste of a brazing material that is formed after being inserted, folded, and molten by thermal treatment. The folding is with caulking, rolling-compacting, or curling process. The plate is an end plate closing either one end of the outer cylindrical casing or both ends.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The austenitic stainless steel further contains aluminum, yttrium, calcium, rare earth element, niobium, titanium, molybdenum and copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support: An aluminum oxide layer is formed on the surface of the support.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The system also comprises second, third, fourth (and fifth valves) (4, 8, 16); and burner (13). The second valve interposes further upstream than the first passage. The third and fourth valves divide the gas delivered under pressure from the pressure mechanism between the fuel cell and the reformer. The controller also decreases the opening of the second valve and lead oxygen-containing gas by using the third valve when fuel vapor is purged, purges fuel vapor absorbed by the canister when the reformer is at a temperature at which the reforming reaction is possible, and determines if the fuel cell system has to be warmed up.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A cocatalyst is incorporated into the catalyst system before the carbon deposition step. The implantation of active nanocatalyst is accomplished by deposition precipitation. The deposition precipitation comprises dispersing carbon support in a solvent, adding a salt solution of the active nanocatalyst to the solvent to form a reaction mixture, adding a precipitation agent to the reaction mixture and heating, and adding a reducing agent to the reaction mixture to reduce the active nanocatalyst. The carbon deposition is performed at 0.5-20 atm and 600-1000degreesC for 1-60 minutes.Preferred Materials:The carbon support is graphite, active carbon, mesophase carbon micro-beads, or carbon fiber. It has a sheet, sphere, cylinder or irregular granulation.The nanofibrous carbon material is carbon nanofiber, single-walled carbon nanotube, or multi-walled nanotube.The nanocatalyst comprises transition metals from Group VIIIB elements in the Periodic Table, or their salts consisting of nitrate, sulfate, or acetate. The co-catalyst is Wo (sic), bismuth, cadmium, copper, vanadium, manganese, palladium or platinum. The precipitation agent is ammonia or sodium bicarbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The solvent is water or alcohol. The reducing agent is hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, or the carbon support itself.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The cleaning gas contains a fluorine gas selected from fluoride (F2), fluoroform (CHF3), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) or carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) and a chlorine gas selected from chloride (Cl2), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or chlorofluoride (ClF3,C2ClF5) and the carrier gas contains hydrogen (H2) gas and/or an inert gas such as nitrogen (N2), argon (Ar) and helium (He).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Derivative: Urea derivative is of formula R1R2N-C(=O)-NR3R4 (I).R1-4 each = H, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, acyl, carbamoyl, nitrile, amino, amide, phosphoryl, phosphino, thiophosphoryl, thiocarbamoyl, thioalkyl, thioamino, silyl, silanol, sulfonyl, (substituted) germyl or stannyl.R2+R3 may combine to form a cyclic structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The precious metal is palladium (Pd) or platinum (Pt). The catalyst support is selected from alumina (Al2O3), silica (SiO2), zirconia (ZrO2) and titania (TiO2), their mixed oxides, carbon, zeolites and silicalites. EXAMPLE - To Nafion (RTM: perfluorosulfonate ionomer) (750 mg) as a 5 wt.% ethanolic solution was added Pd (75 mg) as Pd(NO3)2 in ethanol (25 ml) to give a bright, water-clear brown solution. This was stirred for 4 hours at room temperature, giving a black solution made turbid by the Pd colloid. Ethanol (25 ml) was added, and to stabilized the colloidal solution the volume was doubled by addition of distilled water. The ethanol was slowly distilled off on a water bath, to give the Pd colloid as a stable aqueous solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred materials: The intermediate film is a metal (Fe, Ni, Cr, W, Ti, Ag, Ta and/or Mo) and/or a silicide (Fe, V, Mn, Co, Zr, Nb, Pt, Ni, Cr, W, Ti, Ta and/or Mo).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Property: The channel has depth of 100-480 microns.Preferred Component: The channel is formed on a back surface opposite to the main surface, by press processing.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solar battery sealing film is formed from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The substrate is made from a material exhibiting significantly reduced absorption of the electromagnetic energy generated by the source than the catalyst material. The source of electromagnetic radiation is embodied as an induction coil (25) powered from an external generator (26) of high frequency current. It is also embodied as a microwave generator. The induction coil is packaged inside or outside the catalytic reactor. The microwave generator is connected to the catalytic reactor by a waveguide. The source is activated only for a cold start of the catalytic reactor. The external high frequency generator is also used for generating mechanical ultrasonic vibrations of the reacting medium. The catalyst is attached to electroconductive or ferromagnetic carrier particles that are in turn attached to the supporting structure. The ferromagnetic carrier particles have their Curie point temperature close to the specified catalyst temperature.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst comprises finely dispersed particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The reformed gas in hydrogen refiner, contains methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The process is carried out at 550 degrees to 1,200 degreesC. The hydrogen is continuously generated depositing carbon on the surface of the nano horn.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The electrically conductive film comprises tin oxide, indium oxide and/or zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The anchoring layer contains fibres of stainless steel, nickel (alloy) or titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Stack: The stack comprises two diffusion layers (32a,32b) and two anchoring layers (33a,33b). It further includes at least one contact layer sintered to the side of the diffusion layer not connected to the anchoring layer. The stack has a perpendicular air permeability of less than 2-- l/min.dm2 and a planar air permeability of more than 0.02 l/min.dm2.Preferred Anchoring Layer: The anchoring layer has a porosity of 60-98% and a weight of less than 350 g/m2. The metal fibres have an equivalent diameter of more than 2 microns.Preferred Diffusion Layer: The diffusion layer has an open area of more than 30% and a thickness of more than 1 mm. The metal mesh is made of metal wires having a diameter of more than 0.5 mm. The expanded metal sheet has a thickness of less than 1.2 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Stack: The 1st metal fibre layers have a porosity of more than 80%, an equivalent diameter of more than 20 microns and a thickness of more than 0.5 mm. The 2nd metal fibre layers have a perpendicular air permeability of less than 200 l/min.dm2, an equivalent diameter of less than 30 microns and a thickness of less than 0.2 mm. The stack has a transversal electrical resistance of less than 30x10-3 Ohm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Impermeable Metal Structure: The metal structure is a metal plate or foil.Preferred Metal Fibres: The fibres are stainless steel fibres, nickel (alloy) fibres or titanium fibres.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The first integrated assembly includes a contamination control system and a sound control system. The contamination control system comprises a particulate and a chemical filter. The second integrated assembly comprises a contamination control system and a water management control system. The fuel cell system further comprises a second air moving equipment and a third integrated assembly positioned downstream from the air moving equipment and upstream from the second air moving equipment. The second integrated assembly is positioned downstream from the second air moving equipment. The temperature control system comprises a heat exchanger which is water cooled. The third integrated assembly comprises a sound control system and a temperature control system.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The particulate and chemical filters comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The electric current of the arc is continuous, alternating, or pulsing.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The processed gas is made by recirculating the original gas in a pressure resistant piping system by compressing the original gas to a desired pressure, and by subjecting the recirculated gas to generated electric arcs created by at least one pair of electrodes within an interior of the piping system. The processed gas is MagH when hydrogen is the original gas and MagO when oxygen is the original gas. It is separated using a mechanism for cryogenically liquefaction of remaining components. Preferred Components: The processed fuel includes the processed hydrogen gas in the presence of carbon and oxygen, and the processed hydrogen is MagH.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: The molding step provides a material with greater through thickness electrical conductivity that does a similarly dimensioned calendered sheet of graphite material. The mass of expanded particles of natural graphite is provided by interacting the natural graphite flakes, and heating and expanding the flakes into vermiform expanded graphite particles. Transverse fluid channels are molded so that channel openings at first surface are 50-150 times larger than channel openings at second surface and so that there will be 1000-3000 channels per square inch present in a sheet. Simultaneously with the molding of the sheet and the channels, grooves (1200, 1400) interconnecting the channels are also molded. Catalyst is selectively loaded on the first and second surfaces. A cover is provided over the open groove in the sheet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The compound is methanol or its oxidative product. The barrier has proton pumping polypeptide that can be a redox enzyme that can receive electrons from the electron carriers. The enzymes are covalently linked to a polymeric matrix within the anode compartment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The diffusion prevention membrane contains titanium, titanium oxide and glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - Preferred Property: The surface roughness of the plastic base material layer and smoothness layer are set according to JISBO601 standard.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - Preferred Property: The scuffing resistance layer of surface protective film has specified hardness according to Japanese industrial standards (JIS) K 5400.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The corrugated layer contains a binder and fine particles. The electroconductive portion contains an electrical conducting material which is metal microparticle and/or electroconductive oxide fine particle. The metal microparticle is silver, aluminum, gold, copper, palladium and/or platinum. The electroconductive oxide fine particles contain tin oxide, antimony tin oxide and/or indium tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gases stored are hydrogen, nitrogen, noble gases, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and compounds which synthesis or generate these gases. The hydrogen is in a gas mixture containing hydrogen, a substance which surrenders or generates hydrogen, and incorporates a substance which supplies and/or generates hydrogen.Preferred Metal: The metal ions are from the elements in Groups Ia, IIa, IIIa, VIIIa and Ib to VIb. The metal-organic matrix material is brought into contact with a medium which increases the storage capacity and is selected from the group consisting of solvent agents, complexes, metal hydrides, metal alloys, or mixture of two or more of these substances.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gas stored can be methane. The bivalent organic bonds are selected from substituted or non-substitutes aromatic polycarbonic acids with one or more nuclei, or non-substituted aromatic polycarbonic acids with one or more hetero atoms and one or more nuclei. The metal-organic matrix has a specific surface area of 20 m2/g , as measured by BET absorption in accordance with industrial standard DIN 66131. Also claimed is a commensurate fuel cell for e.g. automotive and/or other mobile applications,
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The first and second major surfaces are each defined by a conductive plate, preferably a metal plate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: At least one of the major surfaces comprises copper, nickel plating or graphite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The dielectric is defined by plastic, preferably Mylar (RTM: polyester).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Compound: The desulfurizing agent contains nickel and/or copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gaseous mixture supplied to the gas feed pipe is selected from SiH4, SiH2Cl2, SiHCl3 and SiCl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The rare earth element is lanthanum or yttrium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The carbon material is chosen from sintered graphite rod, sintered graphite board, plate-shaped graphite nano-fiber, cylindrical graphite nano-fiber, plate-shaped carbon nano-tube or cylindrical carbon nano-tube.Preferred Method: Hydrogen occlusion is performed at 0-30degreesC and atmospheric pressure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Fuel Cell: The pressurization container is accommodated in the battery case holding the electric-power-generation portion. The container is detachably provided with respect to the electric-power-generation portion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Element: Group 4 element is chosen from zirconium and titanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The material-humidifying device humidifies the material by using the moisture contained in the reformed gas output from the carbon monoxide (CO)-removal device or by using the moisture contained in an off-gas discharged from a fuel cell operated by the reformed gas output from the CO-removal device. The material-humidifying device has a transmission film for transmitting moisture and for forming a boundary between the path of off-gas or reformed gas and the path of material, a hydrophilic proton conductor for forming the boundary between the path of off-gas and the path of material, and a voltage-applying mechanism for applying voltage to the hydrophilic proton conductor. The transmission film also transmits hydrogen. The off-gas is used to heat the reformer, and the voltage-applying mechanism controls the temperature of the reformer by adjusting the voltage to be applied to the hydrophilic proton conductor. The material-humidifying device may include a hydrothermal carrying body for supplying water to the material, and a circulating mechanism for making the hydrothermal carrying body circulate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The core comprises a single stack of metal plates which are diffusion bonded in face-to-face contacting relationship. Each reaction zone is defined by aligned apertures in adjacent plates of the stack. The reaction zones constitute combustion zones, and are charged with a catalyst that enables catalytic combustion of the first and second reactants. The plates are stacked in repeating groups of six superimposed plates. The second and fifth plates have a thickness that is less than that of the other plates in each group. The channel elements that form the second channel arrangement have a cross-sectional area that is smaller than that of channel elements that form the first and third channel arrangements. The reaction zones are in two parallel rows, and the catalyst receiving zones are in three parallel rows. The reactor forms a part of the fuel processor, and incorporates at least one pre-reformer stage incorporating at least one of the catalyst-receiving zones. The fuel processor incorporates at least one pre-reformer that is heated by a hot syngas or hot flue gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The top active layer has layer(s) with composition of boron-aluminum-gallium-indium nitrogen-phosphorus-arsenic-antimony (BAlGaIn)(NPAsSb) compound that is lattice free-matched to the silicon substrate. The bottom emitter, top emitter, and the top base are from silicon, gallium phosphorus, aluminum gallium phosphorus, or various compositions of (BAlGaIn)(NPAsSb) that are lattice-matched to the silicon substrate. The composition of (BAlGaIn)(NPAsSb) are from quat. alloys consisting of gallium-nitrogen-phosphorus-arsenic, gallium-indium-nitrogen-phosphorus, or boron-gallium-phosphorus-arsenic. Preferred Property: The (BAlGaIn)(NPAsSb) layer in the top active cell has a direct band-gap of approximately 1.6-1.8 eV.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The sputtering method is a facing target-type sputtering method. EXAMPLE - A ferrosilicide film is obtained of film thickness 240nm at room temperature to 400degreesC on a silicon substrateby a sputtering method using facing target-type DC sputtering device. As the target, a FeSi2 alloy of a 1:2 composition ratio is used. The gas pressure is set at 1.0mTorr by flowing Ar gas of 15.0sccm and the current is set at 6.0mA. The deposition speed is 1.0nm/min.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: At least one of AA or AC is adjustable. The EAR is selected so that JEC/EAR approaches JTOS. The AC and AA are selected so that the maximum available current density due to electron consumption by reaction of peroxide (JPM) is given by the relation:JPM at least JEC/EAR at least 10 x JTOS or preferablyJPM at least JEC/(AC/AA) at least 30 x JTOS.Detectors are included for detecting operating parameters of the electrochemical device. Adjusters are included to receive the operating parameters from the detectors and respond to adjust the EAR by changing at least one of AC or AA. The EAR is at most 2.5, preferably at most 1.5.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The S-containing compound is at least one compound selected from dimethyl sulfide, diethyl sulfide, dipropyl sulfide, dibutyl sulfide, di-tert-butyl sulfide, divinyl sulfide, diarylsulfide, methylethylsulfide, methylpropyl sulfide, methyl iso-propyl sulfide, 3- methyltetrahydrothiopyrane, 2H-thiopyrane, 4H-thiopyrane, tetrahydrothiopyrane, 3- methyl-2,3-dihydrothiophene, 3-ethylthiophene and 20 other compounds, and is most preferably at least one compound selected from thiophene, 2,3-dihydrothiophene, 2,5- dihydrothiophene, tetrahydrothiophene, tetrahydrothiopyrane, 2H-thiopyrane and 4H- thiopyrane. The fuel gas is H2. EXAMPLE - Dimethylsulfide (200 mug) was injected into a cylinder LPG W3.3 (TM), and then H2 gas (1.33 g) was filled in the cylinder. The gas inside the cylinder was well mixed for 30 seconds so as to obtain H2 gas containing 150 ppm of dimethylsulfide. The gas was discharged into a room so that the room contained 10-3 vol% of the H2 gas, and the odor was noticed by humans.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Methods: Water and oxygenated hydrocarbon are reacted at 100-450, preferably 100-300 degrees C and at a pH of 4-10.They are reacted in presence of water-soluble salt of an alkali or alkali earth metal.They are further reacted at a pressure where they are gaseous or remain as condensed liquids.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal comprises nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, and/or their alloys.The catalyst is further alloyed or mixed with a metal consisting of Group IB metals, Group IIB metals, Group VIIB metals, Group IVA metals, or Group VA metals, preferably copper, zinc, rhenium, germanium, tin, or bismuth.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The catalyst is adhered to a support consisting of silica, alumina, zirconia, titania, ceria, carbon, silica-alumina, silica nitride, and/or boron nitride.The water-soluble salt is consists of alkali or alkali earth metal hydroxide, carbonate, nitrate, or chloride salt.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The support is surface-modified to remove surface moieties consisting of hydrogen or hydroxyl.It is modified by treating with a modifier consisting of silanes, alkali compounds, or alkali earth compounds.It is silica modified with trimethylethoxysilane.Preferred Materials: The support is consists of zeolites, carbon nanotubes, carbon fullerenes, or nanoporous supports.The water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon is consists of ethanediol, ethanedione, glycerol, glyceraldehyde, aldotetroses, aldopentoses, aldohexoses, ketotetroses, ketopentoses, ketohexoses, or alditols, preferably aldohexoses or corresponding alditols, more preferably glucose or sorbitol, most preferably sucrose.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Composition: The fuel composition further comprises a second fuel, dissolved in the solvent; an additive for inhibiting the decomposition of the fuel in the anode; and additive for stabilizing the first portion of the fuel in the solvent; and an additive for stabilizing the suspension.Preferred Component: The first portion has a saturated concentration. The first fuel is a salt, an anion of the salt is a product of a reduction half-reaction, in the solvent that has a standard reduction potential more negative than a standard reduction potential of a hydrogen electrode in the solvent.Preferred Condition: The second portion of the first fuel is 0.1-80, preferably 5-25 wt.% of the composition. The second fuel is 0.1-50, preferably 1-25 wt.% of the composition. The concentration of the additive in the solvent is 0.1-12, preferably 0.2-5 mole/liter. The additive is present in a proportion enough to give the solution of the first portion of the first fuel in the solvent a density equal to a density of the second portion of the first fuel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The second fuel is alcohol comprising methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, ethylene glycol or glycerol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent is a polar solvent (preferably water).Preferred Component: The first fuel comprises lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, lithium borohydride, (CH)3NHBH3, sodium aluminum hydride, NaCNBH3, calcium hydride, lithium hydride, sodium hydride, potassium hydride, Na2S2O3, sodium hydrogen phosphate, Na2LIPO2, potassium sulfite, potassium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphite, sodium carboxylic acid, or potassium carboxylic acid (preferably sodium borohydride). The second fuel may also be an alkali comprising lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or a basic salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The apparatus further comprises an evaporation section for the reforming fuel. The evaporation section is provided in front of the reforming section in the stacked structure. The apparatus has a stacked structure of thin sheets (1) comprising pairs of passages and spacers (3) having fluid channels. A channel for cooling air is provided in the oxidation section in order to cool the oxidation section to a temperature for a carbon monoxide oxidation reaction. The oxidation section is arranged downstream of the reforming section. The cooling air used for cooling the oxidation section is utilized as the air for the methanol combustion after the air of the oxidation section has been cooled. A heat of the fluid that has passed through the reforming section, is used for heating the reforming fuel evaporation section.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Wafer: The wafer comprises a material selected from silicon, gallium arsenide (GaAs), silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Dopant: The elemental dopant is selected from boron, phosphorus, antimony, indium, aluminum, arsenic and gallium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Cluster: The metal atom comprises a magnetic metal which may take a number of stable oxidation states. The metal may have catalytic activity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The metal of layer (I) comprises lanthanum-nickel group alloy, magnesium-nickel group alloy, titanium group alloy, magnesium group alloy or palladium group alloy. The supports generate heat by applying voltage, and comprise ceramics whose electrical resistance increases with raise in temperature.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The insulating layers comprise fullerene or carbon nanotube.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxide: The oxide support contains cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide and/or alumina. EXAMPLE - A palladium nitrate solution containing 0.1-10 weight% of palladium, was neutralized by aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The resulting solution was sequentially added with aqueous sodium carbonate solution, and solution formed by dissolving (in g) cerium nitrate hexahydrate (138.87), oxy zirconyl-nitrate dihydrate (85.48) and copper nitrate trihydrate (6.81) in distilled water. The obtained solution was further added with zirconyl nitrate dihydrate and cerium nitrate hexahydrate in molar ratio of 1:1. The solution was heated to 60 degrees C and added with alcohol (400). The solution was filtered, dried at 110 degrees C, baked at 500 degrees C for 3 hours, and calcined at 250-280 degrees C for 1-10 hours. CuPdO2/CeO2-ZrO2 catalyst was prepared in yield of 100 g. The catalyst had excellent carbon monoxide shift activity and BET surface area of 197 m2/g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The adhesive is an elastic epoxy adhesive agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The organic polymer film layer (11) is polyethylene terephthalate. The transparent adhesive layer (13A, 13B) contains an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The inorganic high-molecular compound is hydrolysis product of condensate of linear metal alkoxide. The steam pressure and viscosity of diluent solvent both measured at 20degreesC satisfies the relation, -0.4 less than steam pressure/viscosity, preferably -0.4 less than steam pressure/viscosity less than 5.59. 0.1-3.0 mole% of cross-linked structure is contained in organic high-molecular compound. The organic compound has radical polymerization property double bond. The thickness of composite film is 30-300 nm. EXAMPLE - Tetraethoxy silane (10 ml) was mixed with 2-butanone (5 ml) to form a solution (A). 2-butanone (5 ml), concentrated hydrochloride acid (0.25 g) and water (1.3 g) were mixed to form a solution (B). Solutions (A,B) were mixed at room temperature for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Then, a solution comprising methyl methacrylate (9.2 g) and azobisisobutyronitrile (0.5 g) was added to the above solution and stirred for 30 minutes. The solution was heated to 70degreesC. 3-methyl-2-butanone (160 ml) was added to the above solution to form coating liquid. The coating liquid was coated on polyethylene terephthalate film and dried for 10 hours at 70degreesC to form a film of thickness 150 nm. The silicon content in the film continuously decreased along thickness direction from its surface. The film had excellent transparency.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactor Details: The external means of heating are arranged on the outer side of the surrounding wall of the reactor.The heater comprises a radiant catalytic burner; alternatively it consists of heat transfer tubes which are arranged within the structure of the catalyst in the terminal region of the reaction zone. Or, the transfer tubes may be exhaust tubesform a catalytic radiant burner.The heating is in contact with the exit region of the reaction zone.In a variant of the process, the reaction zone comprises a primary partial zone and a second partial zone down stream, with intermediate heating of the reformate current.The intermediate heating is by a radiant catalytic burner and a gas/gas heat exchanger.The autothermal reforming process comprises endothermic reactions (reaction of the hydrocarbons with water vapor) and exothermic reactions (reaction of hydrocarbons with oxygen), all producing H2, CO2 and CO.Unwanted CO is converted to CO2 by a catalytic exothermic conversion with water vapor. The exothermic reactions take place in the entry zone of the reactor and the endothermic reactions in the major part of the reaction zone resulting in the lowering of the temperature. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system further includes product absorbing portion (16) for absorbing fuel oxidized product discharged from fuel electrode, and gas detecting mechanism for detecting the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by product absorbing portion. The product absorbing portion absorbs fuel oxidized product by physical or chemical adsorption. The product absorbing portion is of exchangeable cartridge type. The product absorbing portion and fuel accommodating container are integrated.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel-oxidized product contains carbon dioxide, compound having carboxyl group, compound having aldehyde group, and compound having ketone group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inorganic ceramic material is made from silicon dioxide, aluminum, aluminum oxide, aluminum diboride, magnesium oxide, silicon nitride, lithium boride, sodium oxide, lithium oxide, cerium oxide, yttrium oxide, titanium dioxide, boron oxide, boron nitride, silicon carbide, metallurgical silicon, graphite or metals forming ceramic oxide, carbides, nitrides or borides. The substrate is made from silicon, germanium, cadmium telluride, germanium or a group IV semiconductor or a group III/V or II/VI semiconductor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The fibers are organic fibers, e.g. polyethylene fibers, polyurethane fibers or textile fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The nanostructured storage material is adapted to absorb hydrogen without a chemical bond formation or with Van Der Waals interactions. It is BxCyNz, boron nitride, BC2N (sic), magnesium boride, beryllium nitride, beryllium boride, boron oxide, boron, beryllium oxide, aluminum chloride, peraluminum chloride, aluminum sulfide, magnesium silicide, magnesium nitride, lithium nitride, lithium sulfide, sodium sulfide, or sodium persulfide. It comprises a network of light elements coupled with covalent bonds comprising sp2 bonds (24).x, y, z = integers.Preferred Property: The desorption temperature of hydrogen in relation to the nanostructured storage material is greater than the liquefaction temperature of nitrogen. The hydrogen has a desorption temperature in relation to the nanostructured storage material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The catalyst metal nanoparticles have an average size of at most 2.5 nm.Preferred Component: The catalyst metals are selected from palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, nickel, and or tin (preferably platinum or ruthenium).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The support particles comprise carbon. The polyalcohol is ethylene glycol.Preferred Composition: The solvent system contains 90-100% polyalcohol(s) and 10-0% water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Species: The sulfur containing species of the organic fuel is selected from the group of mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, tetrahydro thiophene, thiophenes, benzothiophene and their mixtures.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The alcohol is selected from either ethanol, methanol or propanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metallic-oxide semiconductor is chosen from zinc, niobium, tin, titanium, vanadium, iridium, tungsten, tantalum, zirconium, molybdenum, manganese.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The epoxy resin is a bisphenol-A type liquid epoxy resin and/or a bisphenol-F type liquid epoxy resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The filler is alumina and/or silica. The hardening accelerator is a latency hardening accelerator such as a solid dispersion-type imidazole or an amine adduct. The sealing compound also contains an amino silane coupling agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The softening point of the novolak resin is measured by ring and ball method according to standard JIS K7234. The filler has a mean particle diameter of less than 2 micrometers.Preferred Material: The epoxy resin is chosen from bisphenol A and/or bisphenol F liquid epoxy resins and the filler is selected from alumina and/or silica. Hardening accelerator is an imidazole with a particle diameter of less than 6 micrometers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The insulation member comprises an organic polymer resin such as acrylic type, urethane type, polyimide type, vinyl chloride type, silicone type, fluorine type, polyethylene type, or polypropylene type.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin covered on the photo voltaic cell is selected from group comprising ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, ethylene-methylacrylate copolymer, ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer or polyvinyl butyral resin. The solar cell is fixed using a silicone adhesive with a low heat conductivity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Products: An electro-chemical element contains the nonaqueous gel-like composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: (claimed) (I) are prepared by reacting corresponding 8-hydroxyquinoline compounds of formula (II), unsaturated carboxylic acids of formula (III) and gallium(III) (Ga(III)) salts (IV) in aqueous solution of a solvent mixture containing water:R1=1-16 C alkyl;R2, R3, R4, R5, R6=H, optionally substituted 1-16 C alkyl, halogen, cyano or sulfonamidoPreferred Preparation: The Ga(III) salt is a nitrate hydrate, Ga(NO3)3 . xH2O; and the solvent is water. Preferred Definitions:    Z1, Z2=groups completing ring systems derived from 8-hydroxyquinolines, of formula (V):    R1=1-16 C alkyl;    R2, R3, R4, R5, R6=H, optionally substituted 1-16 C alkyl, halogen, cyano or sulfonamido.    WIDER DISCLOSURE - Some of the 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands used as available commercially and others can be prepared by known organic chemical methods.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - 5 Compounds (I) are specifically claimed, which are penta-coordinated gallium(III) methacrylate, 3,3-dimethacrylate, trans-2,3-dimethacrylate, chloroacrylate and trans-2-hexenoate complexes, coordinated with 2 moles 8-hydroxy-2-methylquinoline in each case of formula (Ia-1)-(Ia-5).    EXAMPLE - A solution of 2.48 g (15.6 mmole) recrystallized 8-hydroxy-2-methylquinoline and 6.72 g (78.0 mmole) methacrylic acid in 600 ml warm (30 degrees C) distilled water was dripped into 2.00 g (4.8 mmole) gallium nitrate hydrate in 200 ml distilled water at room temperature. Then the yellow suspension was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The precipitate was separated, washed repeatedly with hot water and dried, giving 1.84 g (81.0% of the theory) of the complex of formula (IA) as a light yellow solid with blue-green solid state fluorescence.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred preparation: The adhesive band is applied to at least a part of a first GB, then the release liner removed and a second GB applied, with gentle pressure, to the adhesive layer on the first GB. The two (or more) GB are green films, optionally metallized, and preparation may be done continuously, using rolls of material.To produce a ceramic, (A) is subjected after glueing, to heat treatment so that initially polymeric materials in the green films are decomposed and/or evaporated, then the transfer tape decomposes, and finally the resulting GB is sintered, especially at 700-2000degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The adhesive film is 2-50, preferably 5-25, micron thick, and is oriented. It comprises an acrylate-methacrylate copolymer, especially derived from (i) a compound CH2=CHR1-COOR2, at 80-99 wt.%, and (ii) an olefinically unsaturated monomer with functional groups, at 1-20 wt.%.R1 = hydrogen or Me;R2 = 2-20C optionally branched alkylA particularly preferred material comprises 98% 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and 2% acrylic acid and has molecular weight 0.82 MD. The film may also include crosslinkers, photoinitiators and/or resins, optionally also stabilizers, fatty acids, compounding agents, accelerators and/or inorganic fillers. EXAMPLE - An adhesive was prepared, by radical-catalyzed polymerization, from 8 g acrylic acid and 392 g 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, in 266 g 1:1 acetone-petrol and 8 g isopropanol, then applied to a release liner (silicone-treated on both sides) to produce a 30 micron thick layer, and this dried at 100degreesC for 10 min, Portions of the tape were applied to one surface of two green films (alumina/poly(vinyl butyral) binder), then the siliconized papers removed, the two green films gently pressed together (2.5-5 MPa), and a third green film applied to the free adhesive surface to form a three-film laminate for sintering.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The first and second trenches extend continuously from one edge of the silicon substrate to an opposite edge of the silicon substrate. Alternatively, they do not extend as far as at least one edge of the substrate.The layer of single-crystal silicon comprises strips (5) of silicon.Preferred Process: The strips are attached to the layer at end(s) of the strips and separated from the layer of silicon. Solar cells are formed from the strips before or after the strips are separated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal structure is made of material from iron, nickel, chrome, silicon, tin, manganese, copper, magnesium, aluminum, and/or other metal materials.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The filler is a conductive or non-conductive polymer, graphite, or other materials capable of preventing leakage of gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The metal structure has an upper portion where the filler is not impregnated, and is capable of wire connecting. Cooling water channel(s) of metal structure cooling plate, extends from a cooling water inlet to a cooling water outlet, to allow cooling water to flow in the cooling plate and to cool heat of the unit cells.Preferred Method: The filler is impregnated into the metal structure through pressing, cutting, or injection molding.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polypyridine ligand comprises substituent(s), which has stearic volume greater than methyl group. The polypyridine ligand is bidentate polypyridine of formula II or III, and/or tridentate polypyridine of formula I.R1-R5 = H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, haloalkyl, heteroaryl, carboxy, or amide.Preferred Complex: The electron-transfer mediator comprises transition metal-polypyridine ligand complex from formula IV, V, OR VI.M = Transition Metal;R1- R5 = same as above.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The solar cell further includes lithium salt. Preferred Definition:    M = cobalt;    R1 = alkyl;    b = 0.    EXAMPLE - Freshly distilled 4-(3-pentyl)pyridine (18 ml) was refluxed with 10% palladium (2 g) on activated carbon under nitrogen for 5 days. After cooling the mixture to room temperature, the solids were filtered and rinsed with dichloromethane (CH2Cl2). The solvent in filtrate was then removed by rotary evaporation. Most of the unreacted 4-(3-pentyl)pyridine was removed by vacuum distillation. The remaining viscous oil was subjected to flash column chromatography using silica gel. The eluent was a gradient of acetone in CH2Cl2 that was saturated with concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution. Combining and reducing the volume of the product containing fractions resulted in 4,4'-di-(3-pentyl)-2,2'-dipyridyl (2.7 g) in the form of a nearly colorless viscous oil that solidified into a waxy crystalline solid on standing at room temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The guard bed is down stream of a nickel absorbent.The first bed comprises a metal oxide such as zinc oxide.The guard bed comprises copper-zinc absorbent.The desulfurization unit further comprises a second absorbent connected to the first bed. The second bed comprises an absorbent selected from metal oxides and zeolites. The desulfurization unit is configured to allow one of the first and second beds to be disconnected during operation while the other bed remains in service. The first and second beds are fluidly connected in series or in parallel and the desulfurization unit is configured to selectively direct the fuel stream through one of the first and second beds.The unit further comprises first and second nickel absorbent beds downstream of the first bed. The unit is configured to allow the first or second nickel absorbent beds to be disconnected. The beds may be fluidly connected or in parallel.The unit further comprises a heating element. The heating means comprises heat exchange elements.Preferred Process: The fuel stream is heated to at least 150 (preferably 250) degrees C. The guard bed is maintained at an operating temperature within the range of 150-750 (preferably 260-400)degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The semiconductor material comprises silicon, germanium, hydrogen, fluorine, carbon, oxygen, or nitrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The concentrating glass lenses are selected from the group consisting of tandem gallium indium phosphide/gallium indium arsenide cell and gallium arsenide cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The compound parabolic concentrator is coated with aluminum or chrome.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A conveyor is provided to continuously and serially transport containers and associated friable bodies inside the compartments.Preferred Property: The tubular wall has a hoop strength to retain its shape in opposition to radially outward forces due to compaction at up to 500 or up to 1000 psi.Preferred Method: The granular material is loaded into the compartment through an opening at the first end region of the container. A plunger is advanced through the first opening to apply at least 500 (preferably 500-1000) psi to the loaded granular material. An elevated pressure at 1000-4000 psi and an elevated temperature of 250-450 degreesC are applied to the friable body at the molding station to selectively reshape the moldable material and to cure the resin. The plunger is advanced through the first opening to apply a pressure of at least 500, preferably 500-1000 psi to the loaded granular material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The granular material includes a granular uncured resin and an electrically conductive granular filler.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred System: The MOS gas sensor system further comprises temperature sensor, relative humidity sensor, and circuitry.Preferred Method: The modifying of signal from the gas sensor comprises using analog circuitry. The signal representing the dew point comprises measuring dew point by using chilled-mirror equipment. It may be derived from temperature and relative humidity signals. The MOS gas sensor system is utilized by exposing the MOS gas sensor to a target gas, determining dew point by measuring dew pint using a dew point sensor, and deriving dew point from the measured temperature and relative humidity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Components: The electrochemical cell components are metal components comprising plates, shims, frames, and/or flow fields and the bonding element is a metal or metal alloy that melts at below 500degreesC. The metal components are stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, titanium, and/or magnesium. The bonding metal comprises tin, bismuth, lead, indium, and/or their alloys. It comprises silver and tin. The bonding material is a solder.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The bonding metal is applied to at least one of the metal components surfaces by reductive deposition from a solvent, or by vacuum evaporation or sputtering.Preferred Components: The sub-assembly includes a bipolar plate (42) and a frame. The bipolar plate comprises two plates, flow field (40) and frame, where the frame and flow field are between the two plates with the frame around the flow field, and frame has channels in fluid communication between the flow field.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The electrochemical cell components are polymer components comprising frames, gaskets, proton exchange membranes, and/or shims, and the bonding element is an adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The noble metal is platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The repeating units of polyamide have formula (II) and/or (III) and are further chosen from repeating units of formula (IV)(eight formula are given for (IV), including the one shown). The polyamide is a copolymer or composite of two or more repeating units. The ionic conductive film comprises 25 mol% of repeating units of polyamide.X, Y = as defined above;D = cyclohexane ring or norbornane ring;x, y and z = 0-4, preferably x and z are 1;x+y = 1-8;Z = same as X and Y, preferably sulfonic acid group; andx+y+z = 1-12. Preferred Definitions:    B = cyclohexane or norbornane ring;    X and Y = sulfonic acid group; and    a = 1.    EXAMPLE - 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid (in g) (51.7) and thionyl chloride (237.9) were refluxed at 85degreesC for 5 hours and distilled to obtain 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid chloride. 2,4-diamino benzene sulfonic acid (5), dimethyl acetamide (90 ml) and lithium chloride (2.4) were mixed, heated and dissolved at 100degreesC in nitrogen atmosphere and cooled at -5degreesC. 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid (5.5) dissolved in 30 ml of dimethyl acetamide was added and reacted overnight at room temperature. The solution mixture was extracted in acetone after the reaction completion, filtered and vacuum-dried. A polyamide containing proton-acid group was obtained as powder. The powder polymer was dissolved in dimethyl acetamide and cast on a glass substrate and dried at 230degreesC. A polyamide film having good flexibility and toughness was obtained and the polyamide film was pliant. The ionic conductivity of the film measured by AC impedance method was 5.1x10-4 S/cm. The glass transition temperature measured at 30-400degreesC at a rate of 10degreesC/min with differential scanning calorimetry was favorable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - In an assembly of two plates, a mesh of stainless steel or graphite fabric intervenes between two planar surfaces forming a coolant passage.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The oxide gas is generated through electron cyclotron resonance using microwaves at at least 200, preferably at least 300 W. The transparent conductive film is an indium oxide film doped with tin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The substrate is made of glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The solar collector further comprises a circuit electrically coupling the PVCs to a voltage output from the solar collector.The circuit includes a number of voltage converters to match voltages from the at least2 different types of PVCs to a common output voltage.The PVCs consist of silicon based PVCs, aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) based PVCs or germanium (Ge) based PVCs.The PVCs comprise top passivation layer to filter damaging radiation.The enclosure further comprises end walls joining the top wall and bottom wall.The solar collector could also have three dimensional array that includes base layer (112) substrates and elevated tier(s) of substrate positioned above and separated from the base layer.The elevated tier(s) includes substrates having surfaces with the PVCs formed oriented to receive light reflected from the substrate of the base layer. The solar collector further comprises cooling mechanism from vents in the enclosure to enable movement of air, vents and fan to facilitate movement of air through the enclosure or heat exchanger thermally coupled to the substrates. The heat exchanger is adapted to provide heated water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The PVCs consist of silicon based PVCs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Catalyst Material: The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, vanadium, bismuth, platinum, palladium, cobalt, manganese, nickel and copper.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carrier Material: The oxide made carrier is selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, magnesia and zirconia. The complex oxide made carrier consists of zeolite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel is selected from the group consisting of octane, butene and butane.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - R1 is methane, ethane or propane group. R2 is O. R3 is O.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The thin film formed on the substrate is silicon carbide film and silicon germanium film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Properties: The bubble barrier zone has a pore size of less than 5 microns, and a thickness of 0.010-0.025 cm. The water permeability zone has a pore size of 10-20 microns, and a thickness of 0.075-0.2 cm.Preferred Components: The bubble barrier zone is secured between first and second water permeability zone portions of the water permeability zone. It completely overlies a perimeter edge defined by the plate to form an edge seal of the plate. It is a freeze reduction bubble barrier zone having a pore size of less than 10 nm, and having a thickness that is less than 5% of the shortest distance between opposed contact surfaces defined by the plate.The bi-zone water transport plate is in fluid communication with a coolant loop that directs a coolant liquid adjacent the plate and the coolant loop includes a vacuum pump that selectively applies a vacuum force through the coolant loop to the bi-zone water transport plate that is greater than a capillary force of pores within the water permeability zone and that is less than a capillary force of the pores within the freeze reduction bubble barrier zone, so that the vacuum pump removes coolant liquid from the water permeability zone, but do es not remove coolant liquid from the freeze reduction bubble barrier zone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The bubble barrier zone is a carbon polymer mixture bubble barrier zone having a bubble pressure greater than 2 psi. The polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluorosulfonic acid, phenolic, epoxy, polysulfone, or polyvinylidine fluoride. The freeze reduction bubble barrier zone consists of a porous plastic layer, which is perfluorosulfonic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The first polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene, and the second polymer is polyethylene. The donor is a fluorine atom on a first polymer chain, and the acceptor is a fluorine atom on an adjacent first polymer chain. The first and second polymers are combined chemically as their monomers to a copolymer chain. The weight ratio of the second monomer to the first monomer is 3-20. The first polymer chain is short and intermixed and aligned in a matrix of the long chains of the second polymer so the mean free path of an electron between the donor and the acceptor on an adjacent polymer chain is 5-20 (5-30) Angstrom. Optionally, only the first polymer can be present with rigid crosslinked pillar groups orthogonal to and separating adjacent polymer chains to a distance of 5-30 Angstrom, the space between being otherwise empty.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The sheet is 300-10000 Angstrom thick, and the energy storage per unit weight is 1-5 KWhrs/kg. The donors comprises elements or groups in table IV, and the acceptor comprises elements or groups in table (III). The sheet is connected to a direct current (DC)-alternating current (AC) inverter and a load, where the high DC electric power output is converted to low voltage AC electric power and supplied to the load. The sheet comprises a photovoltaic sheet for the conversion of solar energy to electric energy. TABLES III AND IV, PAGE 13
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The semiconductor electrode has a dye molecular layer consisting of a ruthenium complex. The transition metal oxide consists of titanium oxide nanoparticle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The aromatic amine derivative is monomer, oligomer, dimer or polymer, preferably triphenyl diamine derivative.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Fuel cell sheet - The sheet to which edge sealant is applied is a membrane electrode (MEA) or an ion exchange membrane (PEM) of a fuel cell. It is a fabric, fleece or film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sealant: The sealant is an elastomer. It is preferably a thermoplastic polymer (TPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), fluorinated rubber (FPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) or silicon rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The anode and cathode bipolar plates are in contact with each other under compression pressure of 100 psi.Preferred Components: The PEMFC has modulized single cells superimposed over one another in sequential order. The anode and cathode bipolar plates (formed integrally with each other) of each of the cells has upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The surface(s) is formed with a groove along its circumferential portion, and the RTV is further applied into the groove to seal and position the sequentially ordered cells under the predetermined compression pressure after the RTV is cured, forming the cell unit.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The applied RTV is made of silicon rubber material of non-corrosive electronic grade. It has a heat cured temperature of 100-140, a viscosity greater than 150,000 cps and dielectric strength of 15-20 V/mil.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The catalytic burner foam structure is a stainless steel, preferably iron chromium aluminum yttrium (FeCrAlY), steel or a conductive ceramic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The spherical allotrope is a nanotube and/or nano-onion, preferably carbon nanotube, single wall nanotube or nanotube produced by arc discharge and/or laser evaporation. The reactive organic compound is selected from free radicals, Lewis acids and bases, carbenes, especially those capable of self-reversal of polarity, nitrenes and/or compounds with unpaired valency electrons. EXAMPLE - Pre-purified single wall nanotubes (SWNTs) were redispersed in tetrachloroethane under nitrogen in an ultrasonic bath, then heated to 160degreesC. A 200-fold excess of alkyl azidoformate as nitrene precursor was dripped into the dispersion. Thermally-induced elimination of nitrogen and nitrene addition gave alkoxycarbonylaziridino-SWNTs, which flocculated after some time. After centrifuging, the insoluble residue was washed with diethyl ether. The derivatives SWNTs were soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide, allowing separation from insoluble constituents, such as unreacted SWNTs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The water-dispersible solid is an oxide, preferably alumina or ceria.Preferred Dimension: The catalyst particles have an average diameter of 1-100 microns.Preferred Property: The catalyst has a pH of 3-8.5.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The catalyst particles are produced by grinding catalyst pellets.The metallic surface upon which the catalyst is coated is roughened by abrasion, or etching, prior to coating. It is cleaned after roughening.Calcining of the coating is achieved by gradually increasing the temperature of the coating at less than 5, preferably 2degrees C per minute.The coating process includes evacuating air from the channel, allowing the vacuum to draw catalyst mixture into the channel completely filling it, and then passing a gas through the channel to expel excess catalyst.The pressure of gas passed through the channel to expel excess catalyst is predetermined to control the catalyst loading achieved.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: No silicide layer is formed between the patterned bond pad layer (12) and the barrier layer. A terminal electrode layer (20) is formed over the barrier layer. Before forming the barrier layer, a patterned passivation layer (14a, 14b) is formed over the substrate (10) passivating a series of edges of the patterned bond pad layer but does not cover a central portion of the patterned bond pad layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The first titanium-tungsten alloy layer has a first titanium:tungsten atomic ratio of 27:73-33:67 and a first thickness of 450-550 Angstrom . The titanium-tungsten alloy nitride layer has a titanium:tungsten:nitrogen atomic ratio of 10:60:20 to 12:62:25 and a thickness of 2,700-3,300 Angstrom . The second titanium-tungsten alloy layer has a second titanium:tungsten atomic ratio of 27:73-33:67 and a second thickness of 900-1,100 Angstrom . The patterned bond pad layer comprises aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper or copper alloys. The terminal electrode layer comprises gold, gold alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, copper, copper alloys, other precious metals or other precious metal alloys.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The patterned passivation layer is formed from a passivation dielectric material consisting of silicon oxide dielectric materials, silicon nitride dielectric materials, silicon oxynitride dielectric materials, their laminates or their composites.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The reservoir structure (54) has a longest dimension and the free rise wick height of the reservoir structure is greater than at least one half of the longest dimension. The system further comprises a pump with outlet passageway to pump liquid fuel out of the container through the outlet passageway, and air inlet (44) through the container. The inlet has a one-way valve to permit gas flow into the volume of the container. The reservoir structure conforms in shape to the volume within the container. The container forms a cylindrical cartridge. It has flexible sidewalls, and envelope (40) formed from sheets of plastic film or plastic-coated film. It is flexibly bendable when filled with liquid fuel, and the reservoir structure into which the liquid fuel has wicked remains within the volume of the container. The system further includes a removable tape that covers the outlet passageway when the container is shipped or stored prior to use. The reservoir structure has a gradient capillarity. It is formed as a composite of components. At least two of such components have different capillarities.Preferred Parameters: The reservoir structure comprises polyurethane foam with a density of 0.5-25 lbs/ft and pore sizes of 10-200 pores/linear inch. It is formed of felted reticulated polyurethane foam with 2-45 lbs/ft3 and compression ratio of 1.1-30.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The reservoir structure is formed from a material is foam, bundled fiber and nonwoven fiber. The material can be polyurethane foam, felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam, felted reticulated polyurethane foam, melamine foam, non-woven felt or bundles of nylon, polypropylene, polyester, cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene and/or polyacrylonitrile.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer patterns are polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, casein, gum arabic, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl-alcohol copolymer, polyvinyl acetamide, acrylamide-(meta) diacetone acrylamide copolymer, (meth) acryloyl morpholine-diacetone acrylamide copolymer, vinyl imidazole- diacetone acrylamide copolymer, poly (meth)acrylamide, vinyl pyrrolidone-(meth)acrylamide copolymer, polyvinyl formamide or vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl formamide copolymer. Preferred Solution: The coating solution contains 0.5-2.5 weight% of water-soluble polymer as the coating adjuvant. The water-soluble polymer is vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetamide copolymer, poly-N,N-dimethyl acrylamide copolymer, vinyl pyrrolidone- N,N-dimethyl acrylamide copolymer, N,N-dimethyl acrylamide-acrylamide copolymer, polyvinyl imidazole, vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl imidazole copolymer, hydroxy-propyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose or carboxy methyl cellulose. The photosensitive agent or the photosensitive group is chosen from dichromic acid chloride, azide compound, diazo compound and styryl pyridinium group formed using at least one kind of the photosensitive polymer. The aqueous solution which dissolves and removes the polymer pattern and contains a perchlorate of an alkali metal and periodate, is used as a lift-off removal liquid. Preferred Process: The polymer pattern is formed by photo-lithography method, screen printing, inkjet printing, lithography, intaglio-plate printing or relief printing. Preferred Substrate: The substrate is a flat display panel or display electrode on which transparent-conduction tin-oxide film is formed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The element is a pipe, multilayer pipe, reservoir vessel, connector, adapter, filter or pump or valve part.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polyester molding composition is based on polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene 2,6-naphthalate, polypropylene 2,6-naphthalate, polybutylene 2,6-naphthalate, poly(1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane terephthalate) and poly(1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane 2,6-naphthalate). It preferably has an antistatic finish.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrocarbon is a lower alkane, alkene, alkyne, alcohol, aldehyde, ketone or organic acid having up to 30, preferably 20 carbon atoms.The endothermic cracking is carried out in the presence of a Pd/gamma-aluminum oxide catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The method further comprises: providing a gas switching manifold in the MOCVD reactor; and preparing the Al, Ga, In, Zn, and P vapors in the gas switching manifold. A reaction chamber is provided in the MOCVD reactor. A susceptor is provided within the reaction chamber. The substrate is positioned on the susceptor, and heated to approximately 500-650 degrees C. A codoped GaAlInP layer is epitaxially grown by exposing the heated substrate Al, Ga, In, P, Zn, and Se vapors.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The hydride sources are arsine, PH3, hydrogen selenide, or disilane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organometallic compounds are organometallic sources selected from trimethylaluminum, triethyl gallium, trimethyl indium, or dimethyl zinc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first conductor layer comprises molybdenum. The chalcopyrite semiconductor is copper (indium, gallium) selenide. The buffer layer comprises ZnIn2(Se1-x, Sx)4 (I) or ZnInxSeySz (II). The transparent conductor layer comprises a resistive layer of metal oxide and a superimposed conductive layer of doped metal oxide.x = less than about 0.6    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Dimension: The buffer layer has a thickness of 4-30 nm. Preferred Method: The vacuum deposition apparatus is maintained under vacuum between deposition of copper (indium, gallium) selenide layer and buffer layer. Deposition of buffer layer is performed after breaking of the vacuum. The deposition source material is prepared by alloying zinc and indium to form an alloy, and reacting the alloy with selenium; or by simultaneously reacting zinc, indium and selenium. ZnInxSeySz is deposited from a vapor phase by vacuum evaporation. Evaporation utilizes p grams ZnInxSeySz and q grams sulfur, (where q = np, and n = less than 4 (preferably 0.3-2)). ZnInxSeySz is deposited by sputtering from ZnIn target, and sulfur is supplied from a gaseous source (preferably hydrogen sulfide). Sulfur may be supplied by vapor deposition, or by dipping or spraying thiourea solution. The ZnInxSeySz source material is preheated at 250-600 degrees C for a predetermined time to drive off superficial selenium. The evaporation source materials are loaded as a single source and held at progressively higher temperature such that a portion of sulfur is evaporated prior to evaporation of ZnInxSey, or sulfur and ZnInxSey source materials are loaded as separate sources and heated such that a predominant portion of sulfur is evaporated prior to evaporation of ZnInxSey. The substrate is maintained at 100-350 degrees C during a portion of buffer layer deposition. The vapor flux is restricted to approximate at least one point source or a line source.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The third anode (70) is positioned adjacent the second anode. It generates third electromagnetic field that cooperates with the electromagnetic field generated by the first and second anodes to control electron flow. The plasma deposition apparatus further includes gas manifold(s) positioned in the vacuum chamber to supply gas, fixture(s) in vacuum chamber for mounting the substrate, and striker rod cantilevered into position adjacent the cathode and gas manifold supplies gas to the striker rod. The fixture is energized by variable bias voltage applied by separate power source. The second anode structure comprises second anode components (62), which radiates from first anode toward the vacuum chamber wall. The screen is provided with a hinged solid gate, moveable between open and closed position to control the neutral particle flow to the substrate. The first anode comprises series of connected loops surrounding the cathode.Preferred Process: The electromagnetic field between the cathode and the first electrode is generated by, supplying a current of 0-300 ampere at 0-100 volts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The strong base is alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide. It is preferably sodium hydroxide.Preferred Composition: The alkaline aqueous composition comprises 24-30 mole% sodium borohydride and 0.025-0.3 mole% strong base.It comprises 44.0 wt.% (27.27 mole %) sodium borohydride, 0.2 wt.% (0.12 mole %) caustic soda and 55.8 wt.% (72.61 mole %) water.The mole ratio of base to sodium borohydride is 0.0043.The composition further comprises viscosity-reducing additive.Preferred Property: The aqueous fuel has a temperature of 10-30degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The additive is isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, 2-ethylhexanol or sodium chloride. It preferably comprises 1.4 wt.% isopropyl alcohol. EXAMPLE - An alkaline aqueous sodium borohydride solution comprising 44 wt.% NaBH4 and 0.2 wt.% sodium hydroxide at 40degreesC gave a decomposition rate of 0% NaBH4/hour. An alkaline aqueous sodium borohydride solution containing no caustic material gave a decomposition rate of 0.06% NaBH4/hour.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The fuel cell cassette also includes a non-porous separator plate having manifold opening(s) and sealant manifold opening(s), and a coolant flow fluid with at least two manifold openings and sealant manifold opening. The resin is in contact with at least a portion of the sealant.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: At least one of the sealant and resin is a thermoset material or thermoplastic material, preferably silicone. At least one of the end plates is composed of a filled polymer composite that is a glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic or a graphite reinforced thermoplastic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Method: The step of providing the signal representative of relative humidity of the ambient comprises measuring the relative humidity of the ambient using the humidity sensor.The step of providing the signal representative of actual temperature of the ambient comprises measuring the temperature of the ambient using the temperature sensor.The determining step is performed using a differential amplifier.The step of calculating the rate at which the dew point changes is performed using an analog log amplifier coupled to the humidity signal; a multiplier configured to take the log of the square of the humidity signal; and amplifiers respectively coupled to the multiplier and to the humidity signal. It is performed using formula: tau = ataulog(H)2 + btaulog(H) + ctau;h = relative humidity; andatau, btau and ctau = constants or 5.65, -44.3 and 66.14, respectively, and tau is a temperature, expressed in Kelvin beyond a -20degrees C baseline, at which the relative humidity correlates to the predetermined dew point or at which H correlates to a dew point of -20degrees C.The step of calculating the dew point by multiplying is performed using the multiplier.The calculating steps and the determining step are all performed by analog circuitry, performed digitally, or performed using digital equipment.The first and second signals are generated using the analog circuitry or the digital equipment.The summing step is performed using the analog circuitry or the digital equipment.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system further comprises a fuel supply coupled to the fuel supply inlet of the housing; and a controller electrically coupled with the ion exchange membrane.The fuel supply comprises hydrogen gas.The MOS sensor of the gas sensor system is configured to sense the concentration of hydrogen gas.The controller defines the compensation circuitry.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The vertical shell, jacket and reservoir are made of steel selected from the group consisting of 304, 316, 21/4 Cr-1/2 Mo, and KCS steel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The high temperature catalyst is selected from the group consisting of iron oxide, chromium oxide and mixture. The low temperature catalyst is selected from the group consisting of copper-promoted zinc oxide and gold-promoted titanium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Dimension: The identical depth is 3000-4500 Angstrom. A first minimum of two alignment wavelengths is 580-700 nm, and the second is 480-560 nm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The isolation region is formed of a silicon oxide dielectric material.
EXAMPLE - Solution of tetrahydrofurane contained 36.93 g diacetyl cellulose was reacted with 3-isocyanate propyltriethoxysilane together with dibutyl tin dilaurate to obtain white solid. The solid was dissolved in tetrahydrofurane and reacted with tetraethoxysilane with 0.25% diluted hydrochloric acid. The solution was evaporated to form objected transparent film with transparency of 93.30 %, Tg of 216degreesC and pencil hardness of HB.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The pressure energy-utilizing unit comprises mechanical drive device(s) for generating mechanical energy, compressor for compressing further operating agent of fuel energy converter, or coupling device (10, 11) for coupling drive device to the compressor.It is arranged, in respect of the flow, between the fuel pressure reservoir and fuel energy converter, or after the fuel energy converter.Electric generator(s) is arranged on the drive device.The coupling device has gear unit(s) for mechanically matching compressor to the drive device.A separate pressure-reducing element is arranged at least before the fuel energy converter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Plastic Material: The plastic material comprises tetrafluoroethylene glycol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Thin Layer: The thin layer (2) comprises around 50% of each of Se and Si and is 50-250 microns thick.Preferred Thin Sheet: The second surface of the thin sheet (1) can have a thin layer (3) of approximately equal weight amounts of Se and Si, or can have a thin layer of bromine.Preferred Electrodes: The electrodes (A) and (B) are made of anodized copper.Preferred Conductive Lines and Edge: The conductive lines (5) and conductive edge (6) are made of tin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: If the thermal expansion coefficients of the foundation layer, the honeycomb segments, and the joining layer are Ut, Ht and At respectively, then Ht at least Ut at least At, or Ht at most Ut at most At.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The control mechanism comprises a variable cover having overlapping plates or an expanding fan fixed to a central pivot. It includes an automated system for monitoring the first and/or second fluid, and for altering the heat transfer between the fluids to achieve a desired operating state. A central core structure (200) is located within the inner area. The fins (180) are oriented in a longitudinal direction along a circumference of the central core structure with a hollow portion capable of housing other components.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The expandable metal shell is made of copper or stainless steel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The outer compartment receives hot water to enable endothermic reaction of the metal hydride within the hydrogen source to effectively discharge the hydrogen at a fixed pressure. The hot water maintains the pressurized bottle at a predetermined temperature, subjecting the pressurized bottle to discharge hydrogen at 50-300 psi.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The sulfur scrubber bed is formed from Group I metal supported on large surface area material. The scrubber bed is potassium-promoted activated carbon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Methods: The gas stream contains 1 vol.% CO and the reacting step is carried out at 85-177 degreesC. CO is derived from the anode exhaust stream, CO reduction station or reformer exhaust stream of fuel cell power plant stack assembly.The removal of sulfur further comprises combusting the COS in the desulfurizing station effluent gas stream.Preferred Devices: There are at least 2 scrubber stations and there are separate lines connecting the anode exhaust line to each of the scrubber stations. Each of the lines is provided with respective valves which can be selectively opened and closed to allow sequential regeneration of each of the scrubber stations.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst comprises ruthenium and/or platinum supported on an inorganic oxide which is a complex oxide containing magnesium oxide and/or calcium oxide.The complex oxide is silica magnesia or a silica calcia.Preferred Method: Ratio of oxygen and the carbon monoxide in materials gas is 0.5-3 in molar ratio.The materials gas is obtained in a hydrocarbon, alcohol, or ether desulfurization reaction, modification reaction, and by carrying out a water gas shift reaction.The carbon monoxide concentration in the material gas is 0.1-2 volume %.The carbon monoxide concentration in the generated gas after oxidation treatment is less than 100 volume ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Complex: The metal-cluster complex is an iridium cluster complex.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Arrangement: A hydrogen-acetone fuel-cell portion carries out a reaction which dissociates hydrogen to an electron and a proton. Acetone is reacted with the dissociated proton and converted to 2-propanol, and electrical energy is produced. A propanol-acetone fuel-cell portion dehydrogenates acetone. Electrical energy is also produced in the propanol-acetone fuel-cell portion. The mixed solution containing the reaction product in the hydrogen-acetone fuel-cell portion, and the mixed solution containing the reaction product in the propanol-acetone fuel-cell portion, are heated to a temperature below the boiling point of 2-propanol. The mixtures are separated in the solution which has gaseous-phase hydrogen, liquid-phase acetone, and 2-propanol as a main component. The solution having liquid-phase acetone and 2-propanol, is supplied to the propanol-acetone fuel-cell portion. The gaseous-phase hydrogen and liquid-phase acetone are supplied to the hydrogen-acetone fuel-cell portion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The catalyst comprises palladium, zinc, and chromium and/or gallium. The atomic ratio of palladium/zinc is 0.004-2.2 and the atomic ratio of the sum of chromium and gallium/zinc is 0.03-2 (preferably the atomic ratio of copper/zinc is 0.01-1.6, and the atomic ratio of chromium/zinc is 0.03-2).Preferably, the catalyst comprises palladium, zinc, and indium and/or bismuth. The atomic ratio of palladium/zinc is 0.004-2.2, the atomic ratio of indium/zinc is 0.025-2, and the atomic ratio of bismuth/zinc is 0.025-20.The catalyst comprises palladium, zinc, chromium, and indium and/or bismuth. The atomic ratio of palladium/zinc is 0.004-2.2, the atomic ratio of chromium/zinc is 0.03-2, the atomic ratio of indium/zinc is 0.025-2, and the atomic ratio of bismuth/zinc is 0.025-20.The catalyst comprises zinc oxide, palladium and platinum. The catalyst contains 10-50% zinc, 0.01-40% palladium and 0.01-30% platinum based on the total number of metal and oxygen atoms. The molar ratio of steam to methanol is 1 to 10 mol, and the molar ratio of air to methanol is 0.3 to 5.0 mol. The catalyst is supported on a carrier and an auto thermal reformer is used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The catalyst comprises platinum, zinc oxide and chromium oxide, with a zinc/chromium atomic ratio of 2-30. The catalyst further comprises lead, bismuth and/or indium. The molar ratio of steam to methanol is 1-10, and the molar ratio of air to methanol is 0.3-5. The catalyst ingredients are supported on a carrier, and an auto thermal reaction reactor is used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The ceramic composite further includes web of reinforcement fibers, and matrix formed from alumina sol that impregnates the web prior to firing. The matrix further includes rare earth oxide(s). The web comprises three-transitional orthogonal weave of the reinforcement fibers, and phase alumina prior to firing. The transition phase alumina is gamma-alumina. Preferred Composition: The web comprises 10-40 wt.% of the composite. The composite is free of group I and II, and transition metal oxides. The rare earth oxides are present in the sol up to 60 weight %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process (A): The catalyst comprises platinum on a porous cerium oxide support. The hydrocarbon gas is contacted with the catalyst at about 400 degrees C and 1-20 bar.Preferred Process (B): The hydrogen-rich gas is passed through a cooler (3) and a trap (4) to remove any impurities harmful to the fuel cell, including traces of carbon monoxide. The fuel cell is of the proton-exchange membrane (PEM) type. Off-gas from the fuel cell, containing unconverted hydrocarbon, is recycled to the reactor (2).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reducing metal oxide is a nickel oxide and/or a copper oxide, and the hardly reducing metal oxide is a magnesium oxide. Preferred Composition: The copper oxide is provided by at least0.1% and at most5%, preferably at least0.1% and at most20% in the atomic ratio with respect to the magnesium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: The solar cells are sealed individually one by one or by a unit of solar cell group including several solar cells, in the weather-resistant sealing process. The solar cells are integrally sealed. The solar cells are attached to a surface facing the inner space of the sheet glass on sunlight receiving or sunlight non-receiving side of the double glazing glass. The solar cells are attached to one sheet glass of the double glazing glass with a fixing filler interposed. The sheet glass on the sunlight non-receiving side of the double glazing glass is a net-embedded glass (22). The spacer has a conductive portion to which power output from the solar cells is supplied. A power output portion capable of externally outputting power of the solar cells is connected to the conductive portion. A sealing component (3) is provided between the power output portion and each sheet glass. An air-tight and waterproof seal is provided around a peripheral portion of each sheet glass, between each sheet glass and the spacer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: A transparent filler (4) which is a transparent resin of ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl butyral, is used in the sealing process. A polyethylene terephthalate or fluorine-based resin film, is used as a weather-resistant and transparent film (5) in the sealing process. The fixing filler is a transparent adhesive tape or a transparent resin containing ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl butyral.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The wicking material is foam, bundled fiber or non-woven fabric fiber, preferably polyurethane foam, felted polyurethane foam, reticulated polyurethane foam, felted reticulated polyurethane foam, melamine foam, non-woven felt, bundles of nylon, polypropylene, polyester, cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene and/or polyacrylonitrile.Preferred Components: The sheet has hole(s) in thickness direction formed by perforating the sheet, and channels (28,40) formed by cutting, scribing, thermoforming or convoluting. The reservoir structure further includes a conductive layer attached or crimped to the surface of the sheet. The conductive layer is metal screen, metal wool or expanded metal foil and is a conductive coating of metals, carbon and carbon-containing materials, conductive polymers or their suspensions coated on the surface of sheet. The sheet has component (A) having high capillarity than component (B), and has gradient capillarity. The conductive layer is in communication with current circuit (44).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The metal hydride composition may be prepared by mixing ethanol (approximately 2-5 parts) to water (1 part) to form a first mixture; adjusting the pH of first mixture to approximately 1-2.5; mixing ethanol (approximately 1 part) to tetraethoxysilane (2 parts) to form a second mixture; combining the first and second mixtures to form a sol; mixing metal hydride particles with sol to form a third mixture; gelling the third mixture at room temperature; and drying the resulting gel under supercritical conditions.The method may include conditioning the sol at room temperature before mixing the metal hydride particles. The aerogel (100 g) is mixed with metal hydride particles (not more than 50 g).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The metal hydride particles have a size of less than 100 micrometers. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The alcohol is specifically claimed as methanol or ethanol, the organometal is specifically claimed as tetraethoxysilane, and the acid is specifically claimed as hydrochloric acid, hydrosulfuric acid, or nitric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred composition: The metal component is silver, copper, zinc, tin, lead, cadmium, bismuth, mercury, platinum, palladium, nickel, iron, cobalt, ruthenium, gold, manganese and/or rhodium. The inorganic oxide is an oxide of titanium, zirconium, cerium, silicon, aluminum, magnesium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, calcium, barium and/or phosphorus.Preferred Form: The compound is a particulate of 3nm to 3mm or a molding of globular, cube, rectangular, parallelpiped, pellet, plate, acicular or honeycomb shape. The compound is supported on a fiber, inorganic oxide, metal, resin or ceramic.Preferred Process: the contact temperature in the claimed process is -30degreesC to 50degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The solid superstrong-acid catalyst is upstream of the hydrocarbon compound flow and the catalyst containing a group VIII metal is downstream. The solid superstrong-acid catalyst comprises zirconium oxide supporting sulfur oxide or a tungstic acid compound. The group VIII metal is ruthenium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Hydrogen is temporarily used for fuel, and electricity-generation is carried out, before methanol aqueous solution is used for the fuel. Fuel or water is made to exist in the cathode flow path during a momentary rest of a generating mode, or the cathode flow path is filled with fuel or water during rest. EXAMPLE - Nafion-117 (perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid film) was used as the polymer film electrolyte. The film was washed by boiling in hydrogen-peroxide solution and dilute sulfuric acid. A carbon paper was water-repellent processed in tetrafluoroethylene aqueous solution. A gaseous-diffusion layer was then formed by carrying out spray application of a slurry containing carbon, alcohol and tetrafluoroethylene aqueous solution. A membrane-electrode contact component was produced using the electrolyte film. The obtained fuel cell was used for electricity-generation. First, methanol aqueous solution was supplied to the cathode. Air was then supplied to the anode after 20 minutes. After release voltage was stabilized, a load was given and electricity generation was started. The obtained current density was 100 mA/square cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The fuel cell power plant also includes a sensor which detects (i) pressure in the hydrogen supply passage, (ii) power generation load on the fuel cell stack and (iii) hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen supply passage; a programmable controller programmed to control the opening of the valve to prevent the pressure in the hydrogen supply passage from exceeding a predetermined pressure (S1 - S3, S11 - S13, S21 - S27, S31 - S33, S41 - S43, S51 - S57); and a bypass passage (11) bypassing the ejector. The valve is disposed in the bypass passage. An orifice is disposed in the bypass passage in series with the valve. The valve comprises a throttle continuously varied between open and closed states.The controller is further programmed to open the valve when the pressure is greater than a first predetermined pressure, and to close the valve when the pressure is less than a second predetermined pressure which is less than the first predetermined pressure. The controller is also programmed to control the valve to increase the opening of valve corresponding to increases in power generation load or hydrogen flow rate.
EXAMPLE - Light absorbing composition is obtained by mixing a complex of formula (I) of absorption maximum wavelength 346 nm and fluorescence maximum wavelength 613 nm as a first organic compound, and a polymethine dye of formula (II) of absorption maximum wavelength 598 nm as a second organic compound, in a 1:1 ratio.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The pulsating flow is brought by the substrate being vibrated in the dyeing bath, by the liquid in the dyeing bath being pulsated or by a vessel which accommodates the dyeing bath being vibrated. The porous film is sintered. It is structured before the sintering takes place. After the application of the electrolyte to the pattern comprising porous structure, the front and rear plane of the monolithic electrochemical system are heated and pressed together by sealing along the edge of the pattern being permitted by a plastic layer forming part of the sealing material, heating to a temperature exceeding the transition temperature of the plastic layer and being joined together with the front plane. The front and rear planes are subjected to a vacuum pressure, evacuation of moisture and gases from the porous structure being permitted. They are pressed together by a flexible pressing tool or by a flexible membrane.Preferred Property: The vibration is carried out with an amplitude in excess of 0.2 mm and a frequency in excess of 40 Hz. The pulsating flow is turbulent.Preferred Component: A set of substrates is mounted on to a rack immersed in the dyeing bath. The rack is connected to a vibrator. The dyeing bath contains electrochemically active molecules or light absorbing molecules which are adsorbed on the porous film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Methods: The hydrogen clathrate is isobarically quenched from the first (77-250 degrees K) to the second cryogenic temperature. It is isothermally quenched from the first pressure (100-600 MPa) to a quenched pressure of 35 MPa - 10 kPa. A seed material (clathrate) and a stabilizer material are added to the containment volume at at most 5 vol.%. The containment vessel is partially filled with water (20-70%). It is then cooled to the first cryogenic temperature. The hydrogen hydrate is maintained at 35-0.01 MPa to effect storage. Pressurizing the containment vessel is performed using a compressor. A calibration material is added to the containment volume during the step of partially filling the containment with water. The maintaining step is performed using liquid nitrogen.Preferred Properties: There are at least 2 different cage structures. The unit cell is an sI, sH or sII unit cell. There are about 50 g/l of H2 molecules stored for later recovery. The sII unit cell includes 136 H2O molecules that form frameworks around 8 hexakaidodecahedron and 16 pentagonal dodecahedron cages in which some of the cages are more than doubly occupied with H2 molecules.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particle: The active catalytic particle is derived from the metal salt (B) and is iron, nickel, cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, rhenium, osmium, iridium and/or platinum. The active catalytic particle is comprised of a metal oxide support that is derived from metal salt (A) and selected from alumina, magnesium oxide and/or calcium oxide. The substrate is borosilicate glass and sodalime glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: Each of the fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies are spaced at 0.01 mm from the adjacent assembly. It includes first electrode (18), a film (20) adjacent the first electrode, conductive electrolyte, and a second electrode (22) contacting with the film. It also includes gas diffusion layer on first and second electrodes. The water recovery and recirculating system includes a gas-liquid separator tank (56) communicating with the forced air stream and the water recovery and recirculating channel and mixing chamber (36). It also includes a reverse osmosis type membrane (60) in communication with the air water separator tank and the water recovery and recirculating channel. The water recovery and recirculating channel provides for the recovery and recirculation from the fuel cell back to the mixing chamber, of a remaining water (63) and methanol mixture and reaction water collected from the water recovery and recirculating system. The device may include a cap portion (28) comprising an air supplier (50). The air supplier includes piezoelectric pump, diaphragm pump, peristolic pump, rotary air pump, or an electric fan. Preferred Material: The base portion is ceramic, plastic, glass, metal, or silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Process: A solvent and/or binder is mixed into the sealant mixture paste. Transforming of the sealant mixture paste into a composite sealant material comprises applying heat of 700-950 degreesC to the sealant mixture paste, so that the glass precursor reacts with the composite microstructure forming agent, to form elongated grains. The sealant mixture paste is cured by applying heat at 25-600 degreesC, prior to transforming into the composite sealant, so that the solvent and/or binder is removed from the sealant mixture paste.Preferred Composition: The solvent and/or binder comprise paste (5-50 wt.%).Preferred Component: The reinforcing phase comprises elongated grains, which are distributed into the glass matrix to form a network of elongated grains. The sealant mixture paste comprises non-reactive fillers consisting of metal powders, ceramic powders, or ceramic fibers.Preferred Parameter: The elongated grains have a length of 2-200 microns and an aspect ratio of 2-100. The glass precursor to the composite microstructure-forming agent is in a weight ratio of between 1-2 and 30-1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The base film includes a resin film chosen from a group consisting of fluorine-resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin film, polyacrylic resin film, polycarbonate resin film, polyamide resin film and polyester resin film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The catalyst carrier of honeycomb structure is made of stainless steel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: Layers (A) and (C) each consist of a plate or one or more films; (A) may also consist of strips of film or plate arranged over embedded solar cell strings. These strings comprise solar cells connected together in series by soldering or with a conductive adhesive (preferably applied as a bead directly to the inside of layer (B) so that it comes into direct contact with the contacts on the solar cells). A sheet of glass with a thickness of less than 500 microns may also be present in layer (B) between layer (A) and the solar cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: A combination of cover sheet (A) and adhesive plastic film (B), a solar cell string and a combination of backing sheet and adhesive plastic film is pressed and bonded in a roller laminator to form the module. EXAMPLE - Composite film was obtained by coextrusion of Texin DP7-3007 (RTM) (Shore D hardness = 58) with Makrofol DE 1-1 (RTM) film (375 microns) on an extruder connected to a roll-mill with a chill-roll, using a die temperature of 180 degrees C, a material temperature of 186 degrees C, a pre-die pressure of 75 bar, a screw speed of 80 r.p.m., roller temperatures of 20 degrees C (casting roll) and 10 degrees C (chill roll), and a draw speed of 3 m/min. A laminate with solar cell strings between two layers of the composite film (with Texin (RTM) on the inside of each layer) was then produced on a roller laminator at 0.3 m/min and 160 degrees C. A 15 x 15 cm module was produced in 30 seconds by this method.    The solar module obtained showed an efficiency of 13.8 (13.2) % as made and 13.7 (13.3) % after accelerated weathering (IEC 6 12 15; 50 x 6-hour cycles from -40 to +85 degrees C). Values in brackets are for a similar module with ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer as the adhesive film; in this case the production time (vacuum laminator) was 20 minutes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The thickness of the flexible foil element is less than 0.5, preferably 0.127 mm.Preferred Component: The spacer element spaces an electrolyte element (14) from an interconnect element. It includes 2-10 laminate spacer elements. At least one of the outermost of the laminate spacer elements is formed of mica for sealing and insulating disposition against an electrolyte element in the fuel cell stack.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The element is formed of material selected from a superalloy, Hastalloy, Haines 230, or stainless steel. The soft material is copper, nickel, or dielectric materials.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The soft material can be mica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: SA and SB are selected from B, C, Ge, Sb and Te.Me is selected from Al, Zr and Ti, Cr, Mo and W, V, Nb and Ta, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, or Cu and Ag.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The chemically active metal is an alkali metal, alkaline earth, rare earth and/or actinoid, using: lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, radium, lanthanum, praseodymium, erbium, europium, ytterbium, uranium, plutonium, thallium etc. The stable element is from groups III, IV, V and/or VI of the periodic system and their binary and tertiary combinations using: gallium, indium and/or tin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The outlet conduit includes a pressure relief device. The fuel chamber includes a bladder and a piston. The system also includes a pump between the fuel chamber and the catalyst chamber.It further includes a main spent fuel tank connected to the spent fuel chamber; a volume exchange tank having fuel area portion, spent area portion, and movable partition; and tanks connected the fuel chamber and the spent fuel chamber.The fuel chamber comprises fuel sensor and main fuel tank connected to a fuel pump. The fuel area portion has an outlet line connected to the fuel chamber and an inlet line connected to the spent fuel chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The contact angle with water is 8-25degrees. The coating film is formed by a composition containing a silicone resin comprising the partial hydrolysate and/or full hydrolysate of a tetrafunctional organosilane, and colloidal silica. The composition contains 0.19-9 weight ratio of silica solids to solids amount 1 of silicone resin condensate. The composition also contains an organic zirconium in an amount of 0.1-10 weight parts per 100 weight parts solids in the composition, calculated as ZrO2. The composition also contains a photosemiconductor material. The substrate is glass. EXAMPLE - Methanol (356 parts) is added to tetraethoxy-silane (208 parts) and 18 parts water and 18 parts HCl of 0.01mol/l are mixed. The obtained liquid is heated from 2 hours at 60degreesC, to give a silicone resin of weight average molecular weight 950. To this silicone resin, a titanium hydroxide sol as a photosemiconductor material is added so the ratio of Ti hydroxide solids to silicone resin solids is 0.39:1. The obtained composition is diluted to a solids of 1% with methanol. The composition is coated on a glass substrate and heated at 200degreesC for 10 minutes to give the formed article.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The low temperature water gas shift catalyst is copper, copper oxide, zinc, platinum, rhenium, palladium, rhodium and gold. The high temperature water gas shift catalyst is ferric oxide, chromic oxide, copper, iron silicide, platinum and palladium. The oxidation catalyst is selected from group consisting of platinum, palladium, iron, chromium, manganese, iron oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, ruthenium, palladium and gold.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A sound attenuator is provided upstream of an air supply duct with respect to the direction of the intake air flow (18).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sound insulation comprises an open-celled foam material (32). It comprises polyurethane foam.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The sound insulation comprises braided metal or a random metal structure comprising metal ribbons.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The hydrogen storage compound comprises benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, an anthracene, a biphenyl, phenanthrenes and alkyl substitution products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The reformer (1) is also parallelipipedal, at least on the side next to the catalyst stage, and matches the rectangular flow cross-section.The heat exchanger consists of parallel tubes (5), preferably with vanes (6) to improve heat transfer.A certain flow direction is defined for each tube to improve heat transfer in adjacent tubes with opposite flow.The tubes (5) preferably have common feed distributor(s) and common discharge collector(s).The heat exchanger between the reformer and catalyst stage is made from stainless steel, whilst a heat exchanger between 2 catalyst stages is made from copper.The flow cross-section is square.The discharge cross-section of the reformed corresponds to the rectangular feed cross-section of the catalyst stage and a heat exchanger of suitable cross-section is placed between these.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The precursor of the platinum compound is Pt(NH3)2(NO3)2 or Pt(NH3)4(OH)2.The precursor compound of platinum is produced using more than one component among Ce, Re and Zr other than Pt, and using a compound containing no halogen and sulfur as a water-soluble precursor of Ce, Re and Zr. The precursor of Re to be supported is perrhenic acid or its salts or rhenium oxide (Re2O7). EXAMPLE - To an alumina support of diameter 3mm having a pore volume of 0.45ml/g, a mixed solution of cerium nitrate and ammonium perrhenate is impregnated. After drying for 12 hours at 110degreesC, it is fired at 500degreesC for 3 hours. Next, platinum is impregnated by using a nitric acid solution of dinitro-diammine platinum. After drying at 110degreesC for 12 hours, it is fired at 400degreesC for 3 hours to give a catalyst. The catalyst contains 2 weight% Pt, 2 weight% Re and 15 weight% CeO2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - The flow module is implemented in the form of a bipolar plate, which forms part of a fuel cell (also claimed).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The element is a battery, capacitor, sensor or an optical element such as a photoelectric conversion element, solar cell or a light sensor. The oxirane compound is of formula (I)whereR1-3 = H or -CH2O(CH2CH2O)nR, but all of R1-3 are not H simultaneously;R = 1-12C alkyl, 2-8C alkenyl group, 3-8C cycloalkyl group, 6-14C aryl group or 7-12C aralkyl group;n = 1-12.The reactive functional group in (A) is reactive silicon group, methyl-epoxy group, or ethylenic unsaturated group. The crosslinking agent is a maleimide compound. The polymerization initiator is an organic peroxide or an azo compound. The organic peroxide is a peroxy ester, a diacyl peroxide, a dialkyl peroxide, a hydroperoxide, a peroxy-ketal and/or ketone peroxide. EXAMPLE - A glass flask is substituted with nitrogen. An organo-tin-phosphoric acid ester condensate catalyst obtained by heating 0.1g tributyl tin chloride and 0.3g tributyl phosphate for 30 minutes at 270degreesC, and 300g 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl glycidyl ether, 15g allyl-glycidyl ether and 2000g hexane solvent are introduced. A rubber-like polyether copolymer is produced. This copolymer (5g), N,N'-m-phenylene-bis-maleimide (0.5g), t-butyl-peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate (0.1g), and a 1M solution (95g) of LiBF4 and ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate are used to form the gel electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte is a solid comprising crossover sites suitable for crossover of the consumable carbonaceous material through the electrolyte. It is a polymer electrolyte membrane or a fluorosulfonic acid.Preferred Method: An amount of the chemical additive remains constant during operation of the electrochemical device.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The consumable carbonaceous material is methanol.Preferred Component: The chemical barrier comprises non-consumable chemical additive disposed in the consumable carbonaceous material. It preferably comprises the chemical additive suitable for attachment to a portion of the crossover sites. The chemical additive comprises organic molecule(s) that is larger than a molecule of the consumable carbonaceous material; or organic compound(s) having a molecular size that is larger than a molecular size of the methanol. The organic compound is alcohols and/or glycols, preferably iso-propanol, butanol or ethylene glycol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydride: The solid hydride is of formula (I).M'xMy(AlHn)z (I)M' = alkali metal (preferably Li, Na or K);M = alkaline earth metal (preferably Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba);x = 0 or 1;y = 0-3;z = 1-7: andn = 3-6.Especially preferred are lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4), sodium aluminum hydride (NaAlH4), magnesium aluminum hydride (Mg(AlH4)2) and aluminum hydride (AlH3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The synthesis gas from the gasification unit 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 carbon dioxide 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 carbonaceous feedstock and greenhouse gas stream is sufficient to result in a synthesis gas and green house gas stream in sufficient to result in a synthesis gas having optimum ratio for the reactor.Preferred Compositions: The synthesis gas has hydrogen to carbon ratio in the range of 1.2-1.75.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The gasification unit contains rotary kiln and operates at exit temperatures of 1100-1600 (preferably 1650-2900)degreesF. The chemical reactor is a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The first half-cell of the fuel cell contains an electrolyte surrounding a porous catalytic anode electrode. The fuel cell contains an electronically conducting electrolyte surrounding a catalytic cathode electrode. The two half-cells are separated by an ionically conducting membrane that will not allow passage of components from the respective half-cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactants: The greenhouse as stream is carbon dioxide. The oxygen-containing gas is air and the nitrogen portion as a result of the electrical reduction is exited into the atmosphere.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The dehydration portion comprises metal or metal alloy of group VIII transition metal(s). The oxidation portion comprises a ceramic oxide powder and a dopant selected from rare earth metals, alkaline earth metals and/or alkali metals. The ceramic oxide powder comprises zirconia, ceria, bismuth oxide, bismuth vanadate and/or lanthanum-gadalonium complex oxide (LaGdO3). The hydrodesulfurization portion comprises group IV rare earth metal sulfides, group IV rare earth metal sulfates and/or their sub-stoichiometric metals. The reforming of sulfur-containing carbonaceous fuel is performed at less than 1000degreesC, preferably less than 800degreesC and at a pressure of less than 10 atmospheres. EXAMPLE - Catalyst (20 g) comprising platinum (0.5 weight%) on Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9, was placed in a tubular reactor. The temperatures in the catalyst bed were maintained at 760-800degreesC and pressure was maintained at 5 psig. Carbonaceous fuel, water and air were supplied to the reactor at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/minute, 0.3 ml/minute and 515 sccm, respectively. The carbonaceous fuel was a blended gasoline containing isooctane (74 wt.%), xylene (20 wt.%), methyl cyclohexane (5 wt.%) and pentene (1 wt.%). Benzothiophene was introduced into the blended gasoline feed to provide 50 wppm sulfur level. After 1700 hours of operation, the hydrogen production decreased to less than 10%, which showed that the catalyst had both sulfur tolerance and coking resistance.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The titania tetra precursor is titanium mineral salt or titanium tetra alkoxide. The anionic surfactant is alkyl sulfate and cationic surfactant is alkyl quaternary ammonium salt. The polymerization inhibitor is acetylacetone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The catalyst is supported on a flat plate, preferably metallic, preferably aluminum, stainless steel or copper. Aluminum is oxidized at the anode of the modifier. An integrated spacer is used to control the gas flow. The hydrogen permeation membrane is metallic or ceramic.Preferred Fuel: The fuel modified is a fuel and water vapor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The intermediate layer of laminated material uses stainless steel of JIS with SUS430 standards.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conductive Film: The rough surface of transparent electrically conductive film (I) is obtained by etching, using hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid or one or more types of aqua regia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The carbon material is chosen from sintered graphite, powder-like carbon nano-tube, powder-like graphite nano-fiber, cylindrical graphite nano-fiber or plate-shaped graphite nano-fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The storage and transportation of aromatic compound and hydrogenated aromatic compound are carried out using a portable type container. A heating unit to dissolve solidified substance of aromatic compound and/or hydrogenated aromatic compound, is provided to the container. The hydrogen is separated under same temperature and pressure conditions of dehydrogenation reactions, using membrane reaction which can perform dehydrogenation reaction and hydrogen separation. The recovering unit of hydrogenation heat energy is a heat engine which utilize heat energy on driving force or heat engine which converts heat into electrical or mechanical energy or thermal-storage system or chemical heat pump. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The aromatic compound is benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, biphenyl and/or naphthalene. The hydrogenated aromatic compound is cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, ethyl cyclohexane and/or decalin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: A heat exchanger (16) having no or only a small catalyst coating is connected to the converter. The heat exchanger and the converter have a common cooling cycle (22) and together form one unit. A high temperature converter (12) for carrying out adiabatic and isothermic reactions is connected to the heat exchanger.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The sensor is arranged in a guiding element (8) in the flow direction after the further dosing arrangement. A mixing chamber (12) is arranged after the collection of all volume streams. The volume stream flows from the mixing chamber into a storage tank (9). The mixing chamber has inserts acting as mixing elements.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The PVCs of the solar collector are selected from silicon based PVCs, gallium-arsenide (GaAs) based PVCs, aluminum-gallium-arsenide (AlGaAs) based PVCs, germanium (Ge) based PVCs, gallium-indium-phosphide (GaInP) based PVCs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The noble metal is platinum, and the base metal is iron. The single-composition gas comprises carbon monoxide gas, carbon dioxide gas, hydrogen gas, or oxygen gas. A quantity of adsorbed carbon monoxide in a powdery form of catalyst prior to production of an electrode is not less than 12 Ncc/g of the noble metal. The platinum complex solution is an aqueous solution of platinum sulfide.Preferred Property: The specific surface area of the carbon carrier is not less than 600 m2/g, preferably not less than 800 m2/g.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Parameter: The specific temperature for the reduction of the base metal is 400-900 degreesC, preferably 500-700 degreesC. A temperature of complete oxygen release from a powdery form of catalyst prior to production of an electrode is not more than 280 degreesC. A peak temperature of carbon dioxide release form of catalyst prior to production of an electrode is not more than 300 degreesC. A supply rate of the iron salt solution to the dispersion of powdery carbon of 0.88-11 mmole/minute. A supply rate of the alkali solution to the dispersion including the iron salt solution of 1.25-10 mmole/minute. An atomic number ratio of the base metal to the noble metal is not less than 0.14 in EDX analysis. A ratio of a binding number of noble metal atom with base metal atom to a total binding number relating to the noble metal atom is not less than 0.1 in EXAFS (sic) analysis.Preferred Method: The noble metal supporting step adds a platinum complex solution to a dispersion of powdery carbon and subsequently mixes an oxidizing agent with the dispersion including the platinum complex solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The catalyst composition reforms sulfur-containing carbonaceous fuel at less than 1000degrees C.The fuel/water/oxidant mixture is preheated to less than 1000 degrees C.The hydrogen sulfide is preferentially adsorbed on a zinc-oxide bed, and carbon monoxide is removed by a high temperature membrane reactor.The fuel/water mixture is contacted with catalyst at a pressure of less than 10 atmospheres.Sulfur is added to carbonaceous fuel in preset amount to maintain an equilibrium sulfur level on the surface of the catalyst composition.Preferred Composition: The hydrogen-containing gas stream further comprises hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.The dehydrogenation portion of a catalyst comprises one of a metal and a metal alloy chosen from group VIII transition metals and their mixtures.The oxidation portion of catalyst comprises ceramic oxide powder and a dopant chosen from rare earth metals, alkaline earth metals and/or alkali metals.The hydrodesulfurization portion of the catalyst comprises a material chosen from group IV rare earth metal sulfide, group IV rare earth metal sulfate and/or their substoichiometric metal.The carbonaceous fuel contains less than 3 wt.% of sulfur.Preferred Fuel: The carbonaceous fuel is chosen from gasoline, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, diesel fuel, heating oil, naphtha, kerosene, jet fuel, alkanes, aromatics and/or alkenes. EXAMPLE - A sulfated fuel was prepared by doping isooctane fuel with benzothiophene (25 wppm). The sulfated fuel was treated with catalyst comprising 1-0.5 wt.% of platinum on Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.6S0.3. The hydrogen yield was 5.44% higher than the yield of hydrogen obtained without use of sulfur.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: Each of the fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies is spaced at 0.01 mm from the adjacent assembly. It includes first electrode (18), a film (20) adjacent the first electrode, conductive electrolyte, and a second electrode (22) contacting with the film. It also includes gas diffusion layer (23) on first and second electrodes. The conductive hydrophilic material is in interface with the second electrode and a current collector (28). It includes conductive hydrophilic fibers or conductive hydrophilic engineered foam. The water recovery and recirculating channel provides for the recovery and recirculation from the fuel cell back to the mixing chamber, a spent water and methanol mixture and reaction water collected from conductive hydrophilic material.Preferred Material: The base portion is ceramic, plastic, glass, metal, or silicon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The electrodes include platinum, palladium, gold, nickel, tungsten carbide, ruthenium, molybdenum, their alloys, or a catalyst material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The superheater and cooler are combined as single component in which the starting material vapor is capable of being superheated by the thermal energy content of the reformate stream, while simultaneously cooling the reformate stream. the burner is connecter to the evaporator so that the thermal energy content of exhaust gas of the burner is used for the evaporation of the feed material.The burner is a catalytic burner. It comprises a gas stream comprising exhaust gas from cathode and anode chamber of fuel cell.The device further comprises a gas purification system capable of reducing the carbon monoxide content of the reformate stream located downstream with respect to the flow direction of the reformate gas stream, of the water gas shift stage.Preferred Parameters: During normal operation of the high temperature reformer, the temperature in the high temperature reformer is 400-600 degreesC, and the temperature in the water gas shift stage is 200-300 degreesC.Preferred Method: The reformer is operated as partial oxidation stage for a period of time immediately following start-up, and then as steam reformer once a predetermined operating temperature is reached.A product stream is directed to the burner and not to any fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hydrocarbon-containing substance is ethanol or methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The semiconductor crystal substrate is between a surface cover having a curved surface structure and a back cover (12). It is fixedly held in the bent state in a transparent resin (16). Semiconductor crystal substrates are fixed to the support body, and the semiconductor crystal substrates are electrically interconnected by wires (14).Preferred Properties: The semiconductor crystal substrate has a thickness of 150 mum or less.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The semiconductor crystal substrate comprises a monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The transparent resin comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal microparticle retainer in the metal microparticle holding layer has one or more functional groups such as a mercapto group, amino group, cyano group, 2-pyridal group or diphenyl phosphino group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred material: The metal microparticle includes platinum (Pt), silver (Ag) and/or gold (Au) or alloy. The metal microparticle holding layer has various alkoxide of silicon, aluminum, titanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - The dielectric is made of material chosen from a group consisting of alumina ceramics, quartz, glass, beryllia porcelain and carbonization silicone group ceramic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The design is cylindrical, concentric and telescopic. The entry region to the catalyst is planar with passages. Components on the sides of the catalyst promote turbulent flow. The reactor is annular, the planar section being a perforated inner casing (24) between catalyst (12) and feed unit (14). There are fewer openings, as the catalyst outlet is approached. The feed unit lies outside the catalyst, with the heat exchanger inside. The catalyst is a fixed, packed bed. It is a catalytically-coated porous foam matrix. The reactor comprises a number of parallel or series units, connected or controlled together. It is a tubular bundle reactor with compact cooling jacket.Preferred Adjuster The moveable adjuster is a feed pipe (22), leaving only a part of the flat component open to reagent flow. The feed unit is closed at the end opposite the supply pipe. A variant of the adjustment arrangement uses a blocking plunger to control flow. A heat exchanger (16) is located near the catalyst, for cooling, and can be moved along it. It, too, is coaxial with the catalyst. The heat exchanger operates in a co-flowing (or counterflow) mode, and has a closed cooling circuit. It is an annular, outer cooler. The adjuster changes the residence time of reagents in the catalyst unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The carboxylic acid or its salt (0.001-10 wt.%) is dissolved in a water-soluble liquid alcohol freezing point depressant (90-99 wt.%). A hydrocarbyl triazole, hydrocarbyl thiazole or their combination is added to the concentrate. The triazole and/or thiazole is added to a concentration of 0.001-0.5 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. A corrosion inhibitor is added to a concentration of 0.001-5 wt.%. The concentrate composition is diluted with water (10-90 vol.%).Preferred Component: The acid is present as the salt of an alkali metal hydroxide (especially sodium hydroxide), ammonia or an amine (especially ethanolamine, morpholine or n-octylamine). The water-soluble alcohol freezing point depressant is a glycol, preferably monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol or a methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl ether of (di)ethylene glycol or (di)propylene glycol. The carboxylic acid is 5-18 carbon mono- or di-carboxylic acid, preferably hexanoic, heptanoic, isoheptanoic, octanoic, 2-ethylhexanoic, nonanoic, decanoic, undecanoic, dodecanoic, neodecanoic, cyclohexyl butyric acid or their isomers. The acid can also be suberic, azeleic, sebacic, undecanedioic, dodecanedioic, the diacid of dicyclopentadiene or terephthalic acid, or their isomers. It can also be an alkylbenzoic acid of formula (I).R-p-C6H4-COOH (I)R = 1-8C alkyl radical.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The concentrate composition further comprises corrosion inhibitor(s) selected from metal hydroxides, ammonium or amine salts of benzoates, silicates, nitrates, molybdates or their mixtures.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The oxidizer assembly also includes a pre-cooler disposed upstream of the injector for supplying the feed gas to the feed gas inlet at a temperature at or above the ignition temperature of the catalyst.Preferred Properties: The metal foam support has a pore size of 10-40 (preferably about 10) ppi. The catalyst bed has front and back portions, and the metal foam support in the front portion has a smaller pore size relative to the metal foam support in the rear portion. The metal foam support in the front portion has a pore size of either less than 10 ppi or 20-40 ppi, and the metal foam support in the rear portion has a pore size of 10 ppi. The catalyst bed has a first loading in the front portion that is greater than a second catalyst loading in the rear portion.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal foam support comprises iron-chromium-aluminum-ytterbium alloy. The selective oxidation catalyst comprises platinum. The oxygen-containing gas stream is air.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The crystalline silicate is zeolite. The catalyst layer contains a catalyst exhibiting catalytic properties at 80-200 degrees C. It contains ruthenium and/or platinum. The zeolite is MFI-type zeolite, preferably ZSM-5, mordenite or beta-zeolite. Mole ratio of silica to alumina silicon dioxide/aluminum oxide in the zeolite is at least 50, preferably at least 100. The mass ratio of the crystalline silicate to silica contained in the silica sol is 90:1-70:30 in the first slurry.Preferred Properties: The adhesive layer has a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 280-350 m2/g. Peaks of a micropore distribution of the adhesive layer exist at 1.7-3.7 or 3.7-85 nm. Mean diameter of particles of silica which is acidic sol contained in the silica sol is 5-60 nm, preferably 2-6 micron.Preferred Method: The first slurry uses zeolite as the crystalline silicate and it has a pH of 3-8.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The system further comprises a cooler feed line connecting the reformer to the cooler and a cooler discharge line connecting the cooler to the shift stage. The cooler feed line and the cooler discharge line are coated with a line coating. The line coating exhibits greater soot-inhibiting activity and lesser activity with respect to the water-gas shift reaction than the cooler coating. The cooler coating comprises a first material of the same composition as the line coating, and a second material that exhibits greater catalytic activity with respect to the water-gas shift reaction and a lower soot-inhibiting activity than the material. The surfaces of the cooler that come into contact with the reformate stream are coated with a layer(s) of base material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The base material comprises a metal-containing substance such as chromium, silicon, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, titanium, rare earths, compounds of chromium, silicon, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, titanium and rare earths, and alloys of chromium, silicon, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, titanium, or rare earths.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The insulator comprises glass composition containing 4.2-20 wt% of tin oxide (SnO,SnO2), 25-55 wt% of boron oxide (B2O3) 20-50 wt% of zinc oxide (ZnO), 3-15 wt% of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), 2-20 wt% of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and 0.5-8 wt% of alkali metal oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A return line (20) directs residual water vapor and hydrogen gas from the fuel cell to the water vapor generator. The water vapor generator comprises a chamber(s) partially filled with water vapor. The water vapor generator is partially filled with ice. The hydrogen gas generator comprises a chamber. An inert gas is within the water vapor generator, hydrogen generator, and fuel cell.A pump(s) (22) is provided for pumping hydrogen gas and water vapor between the water vapor generator and the fuel cell. A valve(s) regulates the passage of hydrogen gas and water vapor between the water vapor generator and the fuel cell. Porous plugs (24) are provided adjacent to the water vapor generator, impeding the flow of liquid water from the water vapor generator and allowing the flow of hydrogen gas and water vapor into and out of the water vapor generator. The fuel cell is partially surrounded by a thermal insulator. A heater is adjacent to the fuel cell. A tensile membrane is within the water vapor generator which exerts pressure directing water vapor from the water vapor generator to the hydrogen gas generator.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The inert gas comprises nitrogen, and/or argon. Hydrogen gas is initially loaded within the water vapor generator, hydrogen gas generator, fuel cell, and the optional conduits. The non-fluid substance comprises alkali metals, calcium hydride, lithium hydride, lithium aluminum hydride, and/or preferably sodium borohydride. A hydrogen generation catalyst comprising cobalt, nickel, and/or ruthenium, is combined with the non-fluid substance.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The metal alloy composition has an empirical formula of PtxRuyNi1-x-y.x = 0.4-0.7, more preferably 0.54 or 0.51;y = 0.3-0.5, more preferably 0.4 or 0.43.Preferred Composition: The ternary catalyst composition comprises (at.%) platinum (40-70), ruthenium (30-50), or nickel (less than 30). The composition preferably comprises (at.%) platinum (45-65, more preferably 54); ruthenium (35-50, more preferably 40); and nickel (less than 10, preferably 6).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The hydrocarbon-based fuel comprises saturated hydrocarbons, garbage off-gas, oxygenated hydrocarbons, and/or fossil fuels. It preferably comprises methanol. EXAMPLE - An aliquot of nickel bromide stock solution (0.2 ml) was added to a standard platinum ruthenium plating solution. It was then plated to an electrode at -0.93 volts versus silver/silver chloride for 2 minutes. The nickel in the deposited alloy was increased by adding nickel bromide stock solution to the plating solution. The alloy composition was then screened for methanol oxidation activity and the result showed that it was active. The alloy composition on the electrode was analyzed using x-ray fluorescence to determine its composition. It was found to contain (at.%) platinum (54, ruthenium (35), and nickel (6).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The reducing gas atmosphere contains hydrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The metal oxide is indium oxide or oxides of other metals containing indium oxide, tin oxide or oxides of other metals containing tin oxide, zinc oxide or oxides of other metals containing zinc oxide, or oxides of other metals containing both indium oxide and tin oxides.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer : The base material is a plastic base material.
EXAMPLE - Web cut as 10 cm2 size of ethylene-tetrafluoro-ethylene copolymer staple fiber irradiated by gamma-ray was graft polymerized with styrene, the grafted web was sulfonated, dipped in potassium hydroxide aqueous solution and then in 1 N sulfuric acid and washed by ion exchanged water. The web wads dipped in solution of Nafion (RTM) (fluororesin shown in formula (1)) and dried and then pressed to form sheet with island-sea structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The linear crystal grain boundary is present at a position corresponding to depressions on the rough surface. There are at most 50 linear crystal grain boundary lines per 100 mm2 of the silicon surface.The surface area bounded by the lines is at least 0.25 mm2. The crystal particles which form the crystal grain boundary lines are at least 90% random. The crystal grain boundary lines have a pitch of 0.05-5 mm. EXAMPLE - A silicon raw material having an adjusted boron concentration was introduced into a high purity graphite crucible, and the pressure was reduced to under 10 Pa. Argon gas was introduced. The heater temperature for melting the silicon was set to 1500 degrees C, and the silicon was completely melted.    The temperature of a substrate was controlled to 300 degrees C and the substrate was immersed in the silicon melt to produce a silicon film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The inert gas is argon. The back-contact film is formed, by covering antimony telluride (Sb2Te3) layer with a layer of molybdenum. The transparent conductive oxide is indium oxide doped with fluorine. The source of CdS and CdTe is a CdS or CdTe material in the form of a compact block.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fluoroalkyl compound is fluoroform.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Property: The CdCl2 layer is 100-200 nm thick.Preferred Method: Annealing is carried out for 15-20 minutes. The antimony telluride is formed by sputtering at 250-300, preferably 200-250degreesC. The TCO layer is formed, by sputtering inert gas atmosphere containing hydrogen and a gaseous fluoroalkyl compound, or an argon and 1-3 vol.% hydrogen. The compact block is formed by covering with boron oxide pieces of CdS material, heating the covered material to a temperature higher than its melting point under inert gas atmosphere and a pressure higher than 50 atm, cooling down to room temperature, and solidifying the material into compact block form.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The first supply device comprises first (10), second (12), and third (8) passages for transferring the combustion gas from the combustor to the reforming catalyst section and first (11), second (13), and third (9) valves provided in the first, second, and third passages, respectively, in order to regulate a flow rate of the combustion gas. The combustor produces a lean combustion gas not containing fuel. The reforming system further comprises a sensor (17) for detecting a pressure applied to the separator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: An adhesive tape is bonded to the protective film, and the adhesive tape and the protective film are peeled at the same time.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The protective film is formed of a thermosetting polyester system resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The diameter of the glass fiber is 10-25, preferably 15-20mum. The glass fiber is 5-20 mm long. The composite has a calculated creep resistance of less than 2, preferably less than 1.6.Preferred Composition: The composite contains 40-60, preferably at least 45-55 wt.% glass fiber.Preferred Component: The thermoplastic resin component comprises a thermoplastic polymer from partially aromatic polyamides, polyarylsulfones, polyaryletherketones, polyaryletheretherketones, polyaryletherimides, polyarylimides, aromatic thermotropic liquid crystal polymers or preferably polyarylene sulfide. The glass fiber is incorporated in the composite by pultrusion techniques and is fabricated as a single injection molded part. EXAMPLE - A pultruded polyphenylene sulfide composite containing 50 wt.% long glass fiber and 50 wt.% polyphenylene sulfide having a melt viscosity of 500 poise was injection molded on molding machine with a pg screw ASTM test specimens for measuring flexural creep. It was dried for 1 hours at 130degreesC prior to molding. The flexural creep of the molded sample was 0.71 after 0.1 hour and 1.05 after 200 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The fluorinated layer is 2nm - 10 mum thick. The surface of the fluorinated layer contains a layer containing a catalyst which promotes the reaction of CO and O on the surface. The fluorinated layer is formed on the surface of an intermediate layer which contains an oxidized layer formed by forming oxidation on the base material. The fluorination gas is fluorine, trifluorochloride gas or fluoronitrogen gas used at 5-80wt.% of the base gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The metallic salt is salt of zinc, aluminum or niobium. The basic compounds is sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium carbonate, ammonium, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or ammonia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Features: The hollow fibers have two electrodes (4, 6) separated by an intermediate layer (5). Both electrodes are arranged inside the fibers. One electrode (6) is made from carbon, especially in the form of very small mobile particles, especially nanoparticles. The hollow fibers are made from a transparent material, especially glass, a transparent plastic, especially a polymer, a fluorinated polymer, yttrium-stabilized zirconium dioxide, corundum or ceramic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Processes: The polymer is formed into a flat film or sheet, before contacting with ammonium carbonate solution. The obtained ammonium ionomer is contacted with a mineral acid to form sulfonic acid ionomer which is then contacted with alkali metal salt solution, or the ammonium ionomer is contacted with alkali metal solution. The ammonium ionomer is made into a shaped article that is flat film or sheet, by melt forming, melt pressing or extrusion.Preferred Composition: The ionomer comprises 0.5-36 mol % of perfluoroalkenyl monomer having a pendant group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: Ammonium carbonate is dissolved in a mixture of methanol and water. The alkali metal salt is lithium chloride. Preferred Definitions: a=1, b=1 R = trifluoromethyl and R' = fluorine.    EXAMPLE - A copolymer comprising 91.9 mol % of 2-(1-(difluoro((trifluoroethenyl)oxy)methyl) -1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane sulfonyl fluoride (PSEPVE) and 8.1 mol % of 1,1-difluoroethene (VF2), was prepared. The obtained copolymer (10 g), ammonium carbonate (3.85) and mixture (100 ml) of methanol and water, were heated to 50 degrees C for 24 hours and then cooled to room temperature. The obtained polymer was filtered, washed and dried at 25 degrees C, to obtain as a white powder. The polymer contained 8.2 mol% of PSEPVE and was pressed at 200 degrees C to form a thin film which was colorless, clear and tough.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell stack further comprises a second manifold which is different from the first manifold and in fluid communication with the first and third flow plate outlets, a second desiccant in the second manifold, a third manifold which is different from the first and second manifolds and in fluid communication with the second and fourth flow field plate inlets, a third desiccant in the third manifold, a fourth manifold which is different from the first three manifolds and in fluid communication with the second and fourth flow field outlets, and a fourth desiccant in the fourth manifold. The first desiccant is capable of desorbing water when it is above 100 degrees C.Preferred Materials: The first desiccant comprises molecular sieves, silica gels, or clays. It comprises granules in a water vapor-permeable container, or a compressed block.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The semiconductor layer includes metal chalcogenide compound chosen from titanium, tin, zinc, iron, tungsten, zirconium, hafnium, strontium, indium, cerium, yttrium, lanthanum, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, cadmium, lead, silver, antimony, bismuth, molybdenum, aluminum, gallium, chrome, cobalt and nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Powdered oxides or hydroxides of lanthanum and iron are used as raw materials. The raw material is processed with the ball mill at 5-35 degreesC. The lanthanum element of polycrystalline powder may be partially substituted with an element of IIA group and IIIA group elements. The iron of the polycrystalline powder may be substituted with metal element having atomic number of 22-30. The polycrystalline powder is produced as a raw material by using a sintering-auxiliary agent substance. The crystallinity of the complex is improved by heat processing at 600-1200 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The resulting heat energy heats the reactor compartment (2). The pressure (1-2 bar) within the reactor compartment (2) is greater than that of the oxidation compartment (1). The catalytic reaction (2) takes place at 650-980 degrees C, preferably 840 degrees C. The catalyst substrate is aluminum, lithium, magnesium, zinc, titanium oxides or a combination of these. The active component is nickel, iron and cobalt, or a combination.The reaction in the oxidation compartment (1) takes place at 750-950 degrees C, preferably 870 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Parameters: The distance from the point of impact to inlet portions is predetermined to provide identical inlet pressures for each output channel. The flow rates through the output channels are equal. The output channels have varying length, and constant cross-sectional areas. The maximum flow rate variation and maximum inlet pressure variation between any two of the output channels do not exceed 2%. The angle of incidence between the direction of the first flow and the surface is 80-90 degrees.Preferred Components: The enclosure includes an intermediate channel. The intermediate channel is a triangular shaped portion of the supporting member. The point of impact is a stagnation point. A diffuser is located on the surface for diffusing the first flow.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The multiphase fluid comprises an electrolyte solution comprising potassium hydroxide and zinc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The to-be-occluded material is occluded in the hollow part formed between the cylindrical material and the inclusion material.The maximum inter-adjacent atom spacing d of the cylindrical material and the inclusion substance is 3.4-13 Angstrom .The substance occluding material contains a catalytic metal contained in the inclusion material. The content of catalytic material is at most 10 weight% by weight ratio.The catalytic metal comprises a metal material which has the catalytic effect which dissociates hydrogen molecules into hydrogen atoms.The catalytic metal comprises Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd or Pt.The cylindrical material is formed by carbon nanotubes. The inclusion material is a fullerene carbon material.The to-be-occluded substances is a gas such as hydrogen gas, nitrogen gas or oxygen gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The first hyper-branched polymer has hole conductivity and the second hyper-branched polymer has electron conductivity. The hole conductive layer has a self-assembled structure formed by the first hyper-branched polymer and the electron conductive layer has a self-assembled structure formed by the second hyper-branched polymer. At least one of the hole conduction layer and the electron conduction layer has equidirectional properties. At least one of the first and second hyper-branched polymers is a dendrimer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The inorganic boron compound is selected from carbide material, oxide, chloride, bromide, iodide, fluoride, nitride and/or boric acid. The organic boron compound is trimethoxy boron, triethoxy boron and/or tripropoxy boron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: In (P1), the divalent group has been composed of at least one kind of atom selected from the group of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. (P1) has formula (1), (2) or (3).M = arbitrary metal or metal ion selected from the group of Ru, Pt, Os, Ir, Re, Rh, and Pd;R1 - R4, R6 - R17 = halo, -COORA1, optionally two groups may combine to form a ring structure;RA1 = H, univalent 1-15C group, alkyl, aryl, allyl, alkene, alkynyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxylate, thiocarboxy, dithiocarboxy, sulfo, sulfino, oxycarbonyl, haloformyl, carbamoyl, hydrazinocarbonyl, amidino, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, isocyanato, thiocyanate, isothiocyanate, formyl, oxo, thioformyl, thioxo, mercapto, amino, imino, hydrazino, allyloxy, sulfide, nitro, silyl;R5 = divalent group composed of at least one kind of element selected from the group of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen optionally containing as side chain(s) arbitrary substituent(s) selected from the group of -COORA2, -PO(ORA2)2, -SO2RA2, and -SO3RA2, preferably the structure given in formula (4), -O-, -S-, -CH2-CH(CH3)-, -CH2-O-CH2-, -CH2-O-, -(CH2)3-, -(CH2)3Si-, -NR18-;RA2 = H or univalent 1-15C groupa1, b1, a3 = 0-4;d1, f1 = 0-3, but when R5 contains no -COOH group, (a1 + b1 + d1 + f1) at least 1 and at least one among R1, R2, R3, and R4 = -COOH and when R5 contains -COOH group, (a1 + b1 + d1 + f1) at least 0 and when a1,b1,d1, and f1 are each at least 2, each of R1s, R2s, R3s and R4s may optionally form a ring structure by combining each other;a2, b2, b3, d3 = 0-3;d2, f2, g2, h2, f3, h3 = 0-2;m = 0-4; andR18 = alkyl, acetyl, aryl, sulfonyl or allyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The gap between the adjacent packing materials is smaller than the quenching distance, for the mixed fuel gas, having an oxygen concentration within the ignition limits. The maximum gap is equal to or smaller than the quenching diameter for the mixed fuel gas. A heater is provided to heat portion of the fuel cell where the stack of fuel cell components is contained. A cooler is provided to cool the spaces of the fuel cell in which the packing materials are filled. The tubes are filled in the spaces at random, which are arranged in the direction of the flow of the mixed fuel gas. The cathode, anode, and electrolyte layers are porous.Preferred Property: The porous layers have an open porosity of at least 20, preferably 30-70%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The packing material is a powder particle having a diameter of 50-1000 microns; a porous body having an open porosity of at least 50%; or a small tube made of a metal or a ceramic which is stable at the operating conditions of the fuel cell, and having an inner diameter of 100-200 microns. It is formed of a metal consisting of titanium, chromium, tellurium, cobalt, nickel, copper, aluminum, molybdenum, rhodium, palladium, silver, tungsten, platinum, gold, or their alloy. It is formed of a ceramic comprising magnesium, aluminum, silicon, or zirconium. The cathode layer is formed of a manganite, gallate, or cobaltite compound of lanthanum to which an element of group III is added. The anode layer is formed of a body supporting nickel cermet or platinum to which an electrolyte forming the electrolyte layer is added. The electrolyte layer is formed of a zirconia, which is partially stabilized by an element of group III, or a cerium oxide, which is doped with lanthanide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Details: The opening angle of the conical distributor is 60 degrees - 110 degrees.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The porous material is electrically-heated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The cyclic structure is a 4-8 member ring which optionally contains a hetero atom. The coumarin compound is of formula (I) or (II):R1-R8 = H or a substituent;Z1 and Z2 = 4-8 member ring which optionally contains a hetero atom which is optionally substituted.The coumarin compound is obtained by reacting a compound of formula (III) or (IV), a compound of formula (V) and a compound of formula (VI):X1-X4 = leaving groups. EXAMPLE - Acetic acid (30 ml) is placed in a reactor, and a compound (10 g) of formula (32) and a compound (5.1 g) of formula (33) are introduced. After refluxing for 3 hours, the reaction mixture is cooled and precipitated crystals are filtered. Recrystallization is performed using chloroform/methanol mixed solvent.    Yellow crystals (2.3 g) of a coumarin compound of formula (3) are obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst bed comprise non-noble metals consisting of chromium, manganese, cobalt, iron or nickel, or noble metals consisting of palladium, platinum, rhodium or gold, supported on cerium oxide or zirconium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The anode electrode includes an anode catalyst, a proton-conducting ionomer, and a hydrophobic additive. The cathode electrode includes a cathode catalyst, a proton-conducting ionomer, or a hydrophobic additive. A hydrogen purification device is connected to the cathode chamber to receive hydrogen gas, from which it removes liquid.Preferred Property: The electrolytic membrane has a thickness of 0.05-0.5 mm and an ionic conductivity of greater than 1/ohm/cm. The anode catalyst is applied with a loading 0.1-4 mg/cm2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The anode catalyst includes platinum, ruthenium, titanium dioxide, rhodium, iridium, rhenium, tin, or osmium. It can include palladium, tungsten, rhodium, iron, cobalt, nickel, molybdenum (MoO3), niobium (Nb2O5), or zirconium (ZrO2). The cathode catalyst includes platinum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solid electrolyte membrane comprises a polymer material including a perfluorinated proton-exchange membrane material or a co-polymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid. The polymer material includes a carboxylic acid, polystyrene sulfonic acid, pr poly(vinylidene fluoride). The proton-conducting ionomer includes a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinyl ether sulfonic acid. The hydrophobic additive includes a tetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organic fuel comprises methanol, dimethoxymethane, trimethoxymethane, trioxane, formaldehyde, or formic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Filler: A filler in the sealing agent is selected from aluminum nitride, magnesium oxide or beryllium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The anticorrosion electrode is made of metal chosen from a group consisting of copper, zinc, aluminum and iron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Sensor: The diffusion controlling portion is located at least 1.5 mm away from the end portion of the second electrode towards the reference electrode. The first and second electrodes are arranged such that, when the first or second electrode, whichever is smaller in area, is projected onto the other electrode, a projected image of the electrode having the smaller area is present within the electrode having the greater area.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The semiconductor film is formed by doping titanium (Ti) oxide, zinc oxide (ZnO), tin (Sn) oxide, antimony (Sb) oxide, niobium (Nb) oxide, tungsten (W) oxide, or indium (In) oxide. The film is 10 nm or more thick. The surface of the film has a surface roughness Ra of 2 nm or higher.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Material: The active device is a field effect transistor. The light source is a light emitting diode. The optical interconnect is a planar waveguide, or an optical fiber.Preferred Component: The solar cell is coupled to a drain terminal or a source terminal of the field effect transistor. The photonic biasing network comprises a light source, which is a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The light from the VCSEL is propagated in free space. The solar cell is fabricated on the monocrystalline silicon substrate. The network is contained in a die-level package. The access to a light source is provided through the die-level package via a concentrator lens, a light pipe, or a fiber optic waveguide. A mirror assembly is coupled between the optical interconnect and the VCSEL.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The sensor assembly detects a first and second triggering events, the first is related to one of water and carbon-containing feedstock delivered to the reservoir and the second is related to the remaining water and carbon-containing feedstock. Each triggering event includes measurable event in predetermined threshold value or range of values representative of water, carbon-containing feedstock or total liquid in reservoir is reached or exceeded. The feedstock delivery system produces a feed stream containing a mix ratio of water and carbon-containing feedstock. It produces feed stream containing 10-50 (preferably at least 100)% more water than stoichiometric mix ratio of water to carbon-containing feedstock.The sensor assembly includes sensor external or internal the reservoir. It can be a gravimetric or volumetric reservoir. he sensor can be refractive index sensor, densitometer, viscometer, spectrophotometer, or electrical conductive sensor. The reservoir includes partition for segregating reservoir into two regions such as neck having reduced cross-sectional area compared to the rest of the region. The reservoir including a mixing device to promote mixing of carbon-containing feedstock and the water in the reservoir. The carbon-containing feedstock is soluble in water or emulsion with water and may further include surfactant.The system further comprises computerized controller for regulating the flow of the streams into the reservoir in response to triggering events detected by the sensor assembly.The system comprises a fuel cell stack to receive product hydrogen stream and to produce an electric current, and energy consuming device to draw a portion of electric current produced by fuel cell stack.Preferred Method: The two feedstock components are mixed to form an emulsion before being delivered as feed stream to the fuel processor. The feedstock components are delivered to a reservoir.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Alternately, a controlled mixture of light hydrocarbon gases and oxygen containing oxygen and carbon in molar ratio of not more than 1, is passed through bed (B2) irradiated with microwaves; and bed (B2) is further exposed to preset amount of water vapor required for steam reforming reaction with light hydrocarbons, (or) light alcohol is passed through microwave irradiated bed (B2) comprising carbonaceous material and bed is exposed to preset amount of water vapor required for hydrogen production by microwave catalysis.The water vapor comprises steam, and enters bed (B2) in the form of liquid water. The gas exiting the bed is below 400degreesF. The microwave comprises radio frequency energy of 500-5000 MHz.Preferred Material: The carbonaceous material is activated carbon, char, soot, pyrolytic carbon, carbon black, activated charcoal or metal carbides. The bed is fluidized, fixed, semi-fluidized, suspended or moving bed.The bed (B2) is composed of an oxidation catalyst energized by carbonaceous material, which further comprises mixture of metal carbide and catalyst material or conventional substrate impregnated with metal carbides consisting of silicon carbide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The light hydrocarbon is chosen from group of hydrocarbons consisting of not more than 6 carbon atoms per molecule, preferably methane. EXAMPLE - A microwave reactor comprising microwave passing quartz tube packed with a bed containing oxidation/reduction catalyst (Pro VOC-7) mixed with fine silicon carbide particles, was fed with steam, oxygen and methane at flow rate of 1.2 g/minute, 0.0378 mol/minute and 0.0446 mol/minute, respectively. The reactor was found to produce hydrogen at 64.78%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The temperatures are 650-850degreesC in the first reactor, 1000-1100degreesC in the second, and 1400-1600degreesC in the third. The solids in the second reactor are fluidized using high temperature steam and the solids in the third reactor are fluidized using compressed air. The pressure in the reactor system is 2-20 atmospheres. The ratio of calcium atoms to iron in the solids circulating between the fluidized beds is 1.5-2. The rate of solids circulation between the second and third reactors is such that the ratio of iron(II) oxide entering the third reactor to oxygen in the air entering the third reactor is 4:1-5:1 mole of oxygen. The pressure of the superheated steam is 7 atmospheres.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: A cover sealing track is used as film (15). The solar cells or modules (6) have a synthetic plastic coating on the underside, and the solar cell or module coating can be bonded to the synthetic plastic film coating of a carrier sheet. The coating of the solar cells or modules is welded to the synthetic plastic film of the carrier sheet by hot welding, especially hot gas welding. The thickness of the artificial plastic film (15) is 0.25-2 mm. The supporting surface (5) has outer fixing legs (7) and (8), at an angle of 90-135 degrees to fixing leg (9) and an angle of 110-160 degrees to fixing leg (10). EXAMPLE - No specific example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metal oxide is iron oxide. EXAMPLE - An organic medium (terpinol containing 20 parts by weight (pbw) ethylene cellulose) was added to a mixture of 2.5 parts of Glass A, 0.5 parts ferrous oxide, and 75 parts silver powder. The components were pre-mixed. The mixture was blended to provide a conductive paste composition. The bond strength of the resulting conductive composition was measured and found to have better properties such as maximum adhesive strength of 3, average adhesive strength of 2.2, and good diode properties.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The solid electrolyte comprises an aqueous electrolyte, nonaqueous electrolyte, or polymer electrolyte. Preferred Method: A compound of formula I(X1(Xm+1)m)3J (V) is coupled to the product of the first coupling to produce a compound of formula (I).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The linear light harvesting rods are oriented perpendicularly to the first electrode, and intrinsic rectifiers of excited-state energy or of ground-state holes. The substrate is rigid, flexible, transparent, opaque, reflective, or planar. The electrode comprises a metallic or nonmetallic conductor. The solar cell is devoid of liquid in the space between the substrates.Preferred Property: The light harvesting rods are not more than 500 nm in length. Preferred Definitions:    X1 through Xm+1 = chlorins, bacteriochlorins, or isobacteriochlorins;    b = 1-5, preferably 1-2;    m = -20, preferably 1-5;    X1 through Xm+1 = beta-linked porphyrinic macrocycles;    F = trimethylsilyl-protected ethynylphenyl;    G = halo or iodo;    E = bromo or protected ethynyl.    EXAMPLE - A solution of porphyrin (506 mg) in trichloromethane (140 ml) was treated with zinc acetate (613 mg) overnight at room temperature. Standard workup and sonication with methanol afforded a purple solid (515 mg, 95%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The ferroelectric layer includes ferroelectric materials selected from barium titanate (BaTiO3), barium-strontium-titanate ((Ba,Sr)TiO3), lead-zirconium-titanate ((Pb,Zr)TiO3), strontium-bismuth-tantalate (SrBi2Ta2O7). The poling electrode includes transparent conductive oxide material selected from indium tin oxide (ITO), ruthenium oxide (RuO2), strontium-ruthenium oxide (SrRuO3), iridium oxide (IrO2) and complex oxide of lanthanum-strontium-cobalt (La1- xSrxCoO3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Naphtha: The naphtha is hydrotreated and then hydrogenated, or hydrotreated and hydrogenated in a single stage.Preferred Fuel Cell: The fuel cell is selected from solid oxide, proton exchange membrane, phosphoric acid and molten carbonate fuel cells.Preferred Fuel: The naphtha-based fuel has carbon monoxide content of less than 10 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: Mass ratio (I) is fuel-lean and mass ratio (II) is fuel-rich relative to fuel/air ratios for fueling an internal combustion engine. Mass ratio (I) is about stoichiometric for complete oxidation of the fuel. Mass ratio (II) is 3-5 times richer in fuel than is mass ratio (I). Time (I) is less than 10 seconds, preferably 2 seconds. Time (II) is less than 5 seconds, preferably 100-200 milliseconds.Preferred Fuel: The fuel is chosen from natural gas, light distillate, methanol, propane, naphtha, kerosene, gasoline, and/or diesel fuel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The reformer is coupled to an internal combustion engine for providing a hydrogen-rich reformate for combustion. The reformer is coupled to a fuel cell or a solid-oxide fuel cell for providing electric power to a vehicle. The vehicle is chosen from land vehicle, boat, ship, and aircraft including spacecraft.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The low temperature shift effluent stream is passed to a shift effluent cooler and the low temperature shift effluent stream is cross-exchanged with a third water stream, comprising deionized water, to provide a cooled low temperature shift effluent stream and a partially vaporized preheated water stream and combining the vaporized preheated water stream with a desulfurized fuel stream to provide a feedstream to a hydrogen generation zone. The hydrogen generation zone comprises a reaction from steam reforming and/or autothermal reforming.Preferred Condition: The high temperature shift conditions are at 400-450 degreesC. The low temperature shift conditions are at 180-220 degreesC. A temperature difference between an inlet and an outlet of the low temperature shift reaction zone is 40-70 degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The high temperature shift catalyst is iron oxide and/or chromic oxide. The low temperature shift catalyst comprises cupric oxide and zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: A decomposition prevention layer formed on the substrate includes silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or titania.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The fine particles are selected from fine particles of metal, particles of oxide semiconductor, particles containing impurities as a dopant, particles of a spinel structure compound, particles of conductive nitride, particles of conductive boride compound and particles of a conductive polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Support: The support comprises a surface graft polymer.Preferred Compounds: The conductive polymer is chosen from optionally substituted conductive polyaniline, polyparaphenylene, polyparaphenylene vinylene, polythiophene, polyfuran, polypyrrole, polyselenophene, polyisothianaphthene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyacetylene, polypyridyl vinylene and polyazine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The metal layer consists of nickel or cobalt.Preferred Impurity: The impurity is phosphorus, fluoride or chloride.Preferred Film: The amorphous film is amorphous silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: Transverse grooves are formed on one of the opposed surfaces in a preselected pattern. The sheet is impregnated with a resin, and a predetermined pattern of transverse grooves is embossed. The sheet is cured, and sintered.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The water resistant additive comprises a fluoropolymer, or a 2-10 wt.% (preferably 2-30 wt.%) polytetrafluoroethylene material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Preparation: The catalyst is made by impregnating zirconia with a solution containing ruthenium and potassium, calcining, and reducing.Preferred Composition: The catalyst comprises ruthenium (0.1-10 wt.%) and potassium (0.1-10 wt.%). At least 20% of catalyst's pore volume comprises pores having a diameter of 0.1-300 micron.Preferred Method: Hydrogen is produced using water gas shift reaction by flowing a reactant gas mixture containing carbon monoxide (3-20%), carbon dioxide (3-20%), hydrogen (10-60%) and water (3-60%), for a contact time of 3-100 ms and at a temperature of 200-420 degreesC (preferably 250-350 degreesC).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The hydrogen-production system also includes a fuel cell to form a fuel-processing system, and a secondary carbon monoxide clean-up system. EXAMPLE - Zirconium oxide was ground and sieved into 70-100 mesh. Ruthenium was impregnated onto the zirconium oxide support to its incipient wetness point (0.4 cc/g) from an aqueous solution of ruthenium (III) chloride hydrate. The impregnated sample was set at room temperature for 30 minutes and dried under vacuum at 100 degreesC overnight. The resulting catalyst was calcined under ambient conditions with a ramping rate of 5 degreesC/min to 350 degreesC and held at this temperature for 1 hour. The catalyst was tested using a gas mixture containing carbon monoxide (8%), carbon dioxide (7%), hydrogen (38%) and water (47%) at 25 ms contact time. Results were as shown in figure 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The metal alkoxide comprises silicon, and further aluminum, titanium, zirconium and/or phosphorus.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The nitride semiconductor surface is fixed to a foundation with a wax or an epoxy resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: Each heat exchanger is formed as a double helix and has a rectangular flow profile. The reformer, catalyst stages and heat exchangers are arranged in a cylindrical housing (17) having a cover (18) and a base (19).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Features: The fins or bars in partial regions are thermally decoupled from plates delimiting each chamber. The fins or bars are decoupled via a splitting chamber (7), an insulating layer or a foamed material between the fins or bars and the plates. The insulating layer or foamed material is made from a ceramic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The coating also contains platinum. A part of the metal base plate is exposed and the exposed part is oxidized. An alternative bipolar plate has a thermally oxidized metal base plate and a conductive oxide coating. The metal base plate is titanium, tantalum, niobium, their alloys and/or stainless steel. The conductive oxide coating is a conductive titanium oxide coating formed by coating a titanium oxide precursor in which ruthenium compound and/or iridium compound are added to rutile titanium oxide, to a metal base plate, and thermally decomposing. An alternative bipolar plate has a metallic porous coating formed on at least part of the surface of a metal of carbon substrate. The metal porous material is a silver porous material. This bipolar plate has a silver plating layer between the metal or carbon base plate and the silver porous material. This metal base plate is formed by a metal or alloy of at least1 selected from Al, Fe, Ni, their alloys, stainless steel, Ti and Ti alloys.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The catalyst is coated on the anode using a polycationic substance e.g. polymixin as adhesive. The current produced by the fuel cell is greater than 1 mA/cm2 of surface area of the electrode.Preferred Method: The fuel cell is maintained at at least 30 degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The partial pressure of hydrogen at the anode is greater then 1x104 Pa.Preferred Material: Part of the surface of the anode is made of carbon or graphite.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Component: The hydrogenase is Allochromatium vinosum (nickel-iron) hydrogenase. At least 50 % of the hydrogenase is in its active form.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The reactant gas comprises acetylene and/or ethylene.Preferred Method: Ammonia gas is introduced into the chamber to activate the catalytic coating. The carbon nanotubes are grown in an orthogonal direction to a longitudinal axis of the substrate, or in a radial direction of the rod. Air is evacuated from the chamber by forming a vacuum in the chamber, or by displacement with an inert gas. The substrate is heated to 650-900 degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Coating: The catalytic coating is chosen from cobalt, nickel, iron, chromium and/or their alloys.Preferred Substrate: The substrate is made of at least one material chosen from carbon, metal and a ceramic, and is in the form of a rod or fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carrier: The zeolite carrier comprises crystalline silicate, ZSM-5 type zeolite, gamma-alumina, beta-type zeolite, A-type zeolite, Y-type zeolite, mordenite or anatase-type titania.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The covering material consists of a non-bridged resin which is an ethylene-unsaturated fatty acid copolymer with unsaturated fatty acid content of 5-30 weight%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Device: The main fuel cell comprises a polymer electrolyte cell (PEM), and the auxiliary cell is solid oxide type (SOFC).The auxiliary cell ensures a more rapid oxidation of CO than of H2, and the purification unit (12) is connected between the auxiliary cell (7) and the main cell (2).The auxiliary cell is connected to an auxiliary electrical supply circuit, the main cell being connected to a main electrical circuit (6).The auxiliary electrical circuit supplies electricity to an air supply module (3) which feeds the auxiliary and main cells.The device may also incorporate a gaseous permeation membrane for separation of H2 from the other gases; this is connected to the reformer (4), the purifier (12) and the auxiliary cell.The H2 is thus separated from the other gases, including CO, which are supplied to the auxiliary cell.The auxiliary cell may be branched electrically in parallel with the main cell and an electrical interface (17) for supply of electricity in a main circuit (16) is connected to the two cells.Preferred Process : Process for the supply of a gaseous mixture containing H2 and CO (not exceeding 100 ppm) which comprises a reforming stage for the conversion of a fuel into a gaseous mixture of H2 and CO and a purification stage to lower the CO content.The process also includes a stage of conversion of part of the chemical energy of the CO to electrical energy. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The liquid coating composition further comprises water. The complexing agent comprises a nitrogen-hydride compound, preferably ammonium hydroxide. Group IIB ionic species comprises cadmium, mercury and/or zinc which are obtained from an aqueous solution of cadmium, mercury or zinc sulfate, acetate, bromide, fluoride, chloride, iodide, hydroxide, nitrate, oxalate, citrate, phosphate, tungstate and/or hydrates. Group VIA ionic species comprises oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium and/or polonium which are obtained from an aqueous solution of oxides, halides, sulfates, nitrates and/or ureates of the Group VIA ionic species. The solid reaction product film further comprises additional metal(s) species such as magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, aluminum, indium, gallium, thallium, nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and/or bismuth. The substrate comprises plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, amorphous semiconductor materials, crystalline semiconductor materials and/or polycrystalline semiconductor materials. The substrate comprises a transparent conductive oxide such as tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide, gallium oxide, cadmium stannate and/or zinc stannate. The substrate comprises a layer of a semiconductor material such as Group I-III-VI, Group II-VI, Group II-V, Group III-V and Group IV semiconductor materials. The film comprises cadmium sulfide, zinc sulfide, mercury sulfide, cadmium telluride, zinc telluride, mercury telluride, cadmium selenide, zinc selenide, mercury selenide, cadmium oxide, zinc oxide, mercury oxide and/or alloys, preferably cadmium sulfide. The liquid coating composition preferably comprises an aqueous mixture of cadmium sulfate, thiourea and ammonium hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Catalyst element includes nickel, iron, cobalt, platinum, copper, gold, palladium, germanium and titanium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metallic Oxide: The metallic oxide is cerium oxide, complex oxide of cerium and zirconium, iron oxide, tungstic acid compound and/or indium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The crystal growing material is bismuth and/or copper.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The multidentate ligand is diol compound and/or polycarboxylic acid, preferably citric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: R1 is a perfluoroalkyl group. Q+ is an aromatic hetero-ring quaternary cation. The salt has a molecular weight of up to 1,000.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metal film comprises either nickel or tantalum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition of the alloy has another component (Ti(100-a-b-c)CraXb(X')c.X' = at least one of V, Mo, W, and Al;b = greater than zero and not greater than 3;c = greater than zero and not greater than 10;Preferred Components: The concentration of additional elements include (not greater than 30 atomic % except zero of at least one of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Nb, Ta, Ba, and C), ; the concentration of at least one of Y and lanthanoids is (not greater than 10 except zero), ; hydrogen occluding capacity of the alloy including a method of determining is(not less than 2.5 mass %), ; Cr/Ti of the alloy is (1.0-1.6), and ; elements that substitute one part of Ti and Cr (elements whose atomic radius lie between that of Ti and Cr). The alloy is BBC structured single phase. Preferred Definition: In the formula,    b = greater than zero not greater than 7; or greater than zero and not greater than 5;    a = not less than 30 and not greater than 70;    X = Ru.    EXAMPLE - A mixture of metal, whose composition was (Ti55Cr40Ru5), was molten with arc furnace, agitated and solidified, this processes were repeated for 3-5 times to form a single phased and BCC structured ingot.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The hydrocarbon oil containing organic sulfur oxidation compound is LPG, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene oil, light oil, fuel oil, asphaltene, oil-sand oil, coal liquid, petroleum, shale oil, GTL, waste-plastic oil or bio fuel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The desulphurizing agent includes metallic component chosen from nickel, silver, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, palladium, iridium, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium and gold.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Converter: The photoelectric converter consists of a conductive support; a semiconductor film sensitized by a pigment and provided on the conductive support; a charge-transfer layer; and counter electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The main composition of the metal fiber is iron and/or nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The oxygen amount in the inner surface of the reactor is produced up to a depth of 0.5 micrometers which is twice as large as the nickel amount in the inner surface. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The oxidant is specifically claimed as a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The reactor also includes a filter connected to the outlet; a heater for preventing condensation of water in the outlet; a safety isolation panel for separating the hydrogen source and oxygen source from the reaction chamber; an enclosure housing the reaction chamber; an exhaust fan for venting the interior of enclosure; a safety interlock designed to shut off gas flow into the reaction chamber if the enclosure is opened; a source of high-purity inert gas; a feeding device for introducing high-purity inert gas into the reaction chamber prior to metering or after ceasing the metering of hydrogen and oxygen; a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature within the reaction chamber; a temperature feedback loop for limiting the temperature within the reaction chamber; a cooling system for cooling the reaction chamber; and a device for mixing the hydrogen and inert gas prior to metering the hydrogen and inert gas into the reaction chamber. The temperature feedback loop is designed to reduce the flow of hydrogen into the reaction chamber when the temperature within the chamber exceeds a preset limit. The cooling system comprises a cooling fan for blowing air across the reaction chamber.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The hydrogen and oxygen are metered into the reaction chamber at a ratio of approximately 2:1 (preferably approximately 2:1.2).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The reaction chamber is made titanium, or stainless steel with oxide coating layer containing high percentage of chromium oxide. The catalyst comprises palladium or platinum. It is coated on the surface of high-purity ceramic pellets within the reaction chamber. The ceramic pellets comprise high-purity alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The base particle is a metal oxide, a metal carbide or a carbon material e.g. graphite. The metal oxide is a single material chosen from oxides of cerium, zirconium, aluminum, titanium, silicon, magnesium, tungsten, strontium or their derivatives. The metal carbide is silicon carbide or its derivative. The metal or its derivative is a single material(s) e.g. platinum, rhodium, palladium, silver, gold, ruthenium and their oxides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Inorganic Material: The mesoporous inorganic material is selected from silica, aluminum silicate and alumina.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - Preferred Mesoporous Material: The mesoporous inorganic material includes molecular sieve selected from group consisting of LTL, FAU, MOR, MFI, MEL, MTW, MTT, MFS, FER, TON, zeolite L, zeolite X, zeolite Y, mordenite, zeolite beta, ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-22, silicalite 1 and silicalite 2 defined by IUPAC commission of zeolite nomenclature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The transparent conductive layer is indium-tin-oxide or zinc oxide. The dielectric material is silicon dioxide.Preferred Property: The thickness of the inlaid conductive layer within the thermal isolation layer is 10-1000 nm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The thermal isolation layer is dielectric material. The substrate is nonconductive material. The inlaid conductive layer is arranged in a matrix within the thermal isolation layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The non-conductive material is glass.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - A compound of formula (4) in which E is a monovalent metal atom. The monomer of formula (2) is a monomer of formula (5). The compound of formula (4) is a compound of formula (7) and the monomer of formula (2) is a monomer of formula (6).    m = 0-3;    n = 1-12;    Y = fluorine atom or trifluoromethyl;    Z = alkali metal atom.    EXAMPLE - A copolymer of monomer of (6) and tetrafluoroethylene in the form of a powder (5 g), 5 g of CF3SO2NNaSi(CH3)3, 25 mL of acetonitrile, and 25 mL of 1,4-dioxane were added to an autoclave and stirred at 80 degreesC for 2 days and reacted. The content was washed with water and immersed in concentrated HCl for 16 hours. Then it was washed with ion-exchanged water and dried in vacuum to give a fluorine containing sulfone imide polymer having -SO2NHSO2CF3 group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: Multiple sensors are arranged within the reactor for sensing the height of the catalyst bed and waste material, temperature, gas flow rate in reactor and temperature of gas exhausted from reactor.The apparatus further comprises an electrical energy generator which includes evaporator connected to exhaust port for removing water from gas exhaust through the exhaust port. A scrubber is connected to the evaporator for cleaning the gas which is compressed. A gas turbine to the compressor for producing electricity from the compressed gas is further included.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The inventive method may also include contacting the cooled solution with a metal and producing hydrogen gas and recovering the hydrogen gas in situations in which the cooled solution is alkaline. It includes treating the cooled solution to regenerate the chemical hydride by electrolysis of the cooled solution in an electrolytic cell that contains an ionic liquid as an electrolyte. The electrolysis is indirect electrolysis with the cooled solution and the electrolyte being in separate compartments of the electrolytic cell and being separated by a barrier that is permeable to ions that can form the chemical hydride. The ions migrate from the compartment containing the cooled solution into the compartment containing the ionic liquid in response to an applied potential. The chemical hydride or a precursor of the chemical hydride form as a gas or as an insoluble compound in the ionic liquid. The chemical hydride or precursor is extracted from the ionic liquid. The step (c) includes heating the metal hydride by at least40, preferably at least50degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal is aluminum. The chemical hydride includes lithium hydride, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride (preferred), or dimethyl borane. The aqueous solution of the chemical hydride supplied to step (a) is in the form of a slurry that includes a suspension of chemical hydride particles in water that contains the chemical hydride in solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The semiconductor layer comprises 15-30 % silicon, 40-65 % mercury and 8-20 % silver nitrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The noble metal of catalyst composition is palladium, rhodium, gold, or preferably platinum. The mixed metal oxide comprises cerium (30-50 mole %) and zirconium (70-50 mole %). It may contain third metal oxide from praseodymium oxide, lanthanum oxide, neodymium oxide, or hafnium oxide. The process gas contains hydrogen. The promoted support is wash-coated on a supporting substrate. It may contain alumina to facilitate adhesion of the wash-coat on the supporting substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The conductive adhesive comprises a thermoplastic high polymer film, preferably a Surlyn film. The negative electrode is a titanium dioxide membrane and the positive electrode is a platinum membrane. The conductive substrate is a transparent layer of tin dioxide or indium tin oxide.
EXAMPLE - A 3% aqueous solution (560 g/hour) of indium, tin, magnesium and aluminum chlorides (93/5/0.3/1.7 wt.%) was atomized ultrasonically in a mixture of hydrogen (1.2 m3/hour) and oxygen (0.3 m3/hour). The reactor temperature profile was 751/720/721degreesC and filter temperature 241degreesC. The product contained cubic indium oxide and tetragonal tin oxide. Its particle size was 31 nm by the BET method and 32 nm by x-ray diffraction; particle diameter 21.04 nm; and BET specific surface area 26 m2/g. It contained no micropores. The product was yellowish-green in color.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The intrinsic layer has a first, second, and third layers. The chemical vapor is SiH4, GeH4, or H2. The solar cell further comprises a transparent conducting oxide layer including zinc oxide, indium tin oxide, or tin oxide. The a-SiGe:H n-i-p solar cell is a multi-junction a-Si:H solar cell. Preferred Properties: The first layer has Tsub of 300 degrees C, silane (SiH4) flow rate of 50 standard cubic centimeter (sccm), 0 sccm germane (GeH4), a Ge/Si ratio of 0%, 150 sccm hydrogen (H2), a pressure of 42 mT, deposition time of 90 seconds, and filament current of 16 ampere. The second layer has Tsub of 300degreesC, silane (SiH4) flow rate of 50 sccm, 4.3 sccm germane (GeH4), a Ge/Si ratio of 8%, 150 sccm hydrogen (H2), a pressure of 43 mT, deposition time of 90 seconds, and filament current of 16 ampere. The third layer has Tsub of 300 degrees C, silane (SiH4) flow rate of 50 sccm, 9.5 sccm germane (GeH4), a Ge/Si ratio of 16%, 150 sccm hydrogen (H2), a pressure of 45 mT, deposition time of 90 seconds, and filament current of 16 A. The n-layer has Tsub of 250 degrees C, silane (SiH4) flow rate of 25 sccm, a phosphorus hydride (PH3) flow rate of 5 sccm, a pressure of 12 mT, deposition time of 60 seconds, and filament current of 16 ampere. The p-layer has Tsub of 170 degrees C, silane (SiH4) flow rate of 3 sccm, a hydrogen flow rate of 100 sccm, a pressure of 70 mT, deposition time of 50 seconds, and filament current of 16 ampere. The a-SiGe:H (1.6 eV) n-i-p solar cell has a deposition efficiency of at least 4 % in multi-junction solar cells. The hot wire is a 2100 degrees C W filament spaced approximately 5 cm from a substrate to decompose the chemical vapor. The a-SiGe:H (1.6 eV) n-i-p solar cell has a configuration including gl/TCO/p-i-n/Ag or SS/Ag/n-i-p/TCO.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal is zinc, cadmium, indium, tin, gallium, or their alloys.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The transparent conducting oxide consists of zinc oxide, cadmium oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, gallium oxide, or their alloys. The carrier gas comprises nitrogen or argon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Property: Nitrogen oxide is introduced alone, or preferably with oxidizer, and oxygen. The temperature is at 23+/-2degreesC, at a chamber pressure of 30 Torr. The total gas flow through the chamber during deposition is 2000-3000 sccm. The deposition temperature is 200-550degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A heat pipe (504, 508) transmits the heat generated in the selective oxidation reactor to pre-heat the fuel. The reforming reaction is steam reforming and serves as a heat sink for a heat pipe. The heat source for reforming reaction heat pipe is an anode tail gas oxidizer for a fuel cell. The heat pipe can be a simple heat pipe, variable conductance heat pipe or preferably a self-regulating variable conductance heat pipe. It is a copper/water heat pipe or stainless steel/sodium heat pipe. A desulfurization reactor includes a catalyst for reacting the hydrogen containing gaseous mixture under desulfurization conditions. An anode tail gas oxidizer includes a catalyst for reacting the unconverted hydrogen from a fuel cell under oxidation conditions.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The hydrocarbon fuel is natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene and/or diesel.Preferred Composition: The hydrogen rich gas contains less than 50 ppm carbon monoxide. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Specific Fuel: The hydrocarbon fuel is methane, ethane, propane, butane, methanol, ethanol and/or propanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalytic Layer: The catalytic layer comprises platinum particulates, ruthenium in metallic and/or oxidized form, gas permeable ionomer, and carbon particulates at platinum to carbon weight ratio of 6:1.
R1 = monovalent fluorine-substituted hydrocarbon group;    Z+ = organic onium ion excluding optionally substituted pyridinium ion, pyridazinium ion, pyrimidinium ion, pyrazinium ion, imidazolium ion, pyrazolium ion, thiazolium ion, oxazolium ion and triazolium ion, preferably Z is an ammonium cation, phosphonium cation or sulfonium cation. Specific onium salt is of formula (V);    R3-R5 = 1-8C monovalent organic group.    EXAMPLE - 2,2,2-Trifluoro-N-(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl) acetamide K salt (14.16 g) and triethyl-ammonium chloride (7.58 g) are mixed a nitrogen atmosphere and dissolved ion-exchanged water (50 ml), and separated into two layers. Methylene chloride (100 ml) is added into the mixed liquid to effect elution and the organic layer is washed twice with ion exchanged water (50 ml). The obtained organic layer is distilled under reduced pressure to give 14.31 g of colorless transparent liquid of 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl) acetamide triethylmethyl-ammonium salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The porous wick is made of a compound selected from zirconium compound, aluminum oxide and silicon oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dehydrating Agent: The dehydrating chemical is a carbodiimide of formula (I).R1-N=C=N-(X-N=C=N)n-R2 (I)R1, R2 = hydrogen or halogen atom, (thio)alkyl, alkoxy, acyl, (thio)carbamoyl, nitrile, (thio)amino, amide, (thio)phosphoryl, (thio)phosphinoyl, phosphanyl, thio, silyl, silanol, sulfonyl, germyl or stannyl group;X = alkyl, ether, silyl or acyl chain;n = 0 or more.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dehydrating Chemical: The dehydrating chemical is:(a) of physical absorption dehydrating type including molecular sieve, alumina and silicic acid gel,(b) neutral type including calcium chloride, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfate and sodium hydrogen sulfate,(c) acidic type including zinc chloride and phosphorus pentoxide or(d) basic type including potassium or sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium, magnesium, calcium or barium oxide, calcium hydride or soda lime.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Canister: The canister comprises a number of wafer baffles stacked on the body, and a lid stacked over the baffles, with an opening (56) that corresponds to the aperture of each baffle. The peripheral wall of each baffle has an upper edge with at least one notch, to enhance support strength of the baffles. A second porous tubing is passed through a second aperture in each of the baffles, which corresponds with another opening in the lid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Tubing: The tubing comprises a porous metal sintered tubing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Excessive sulfuric acid (10-30 weight %) is contained in the modified vanadium compound. Molar ratio of tetravalent vanadium atoms to trivalent vanadium atoms (V4+/V3+) (0.65 -1.5, preferably 0.95-1.05) is contained in the mixed vanadium compound.Preferred Property: The modified vanadium compound is in particle form, and the excessive sulfuric acid is held on surfaces or inside of the particles. The average particle diameter is not more than 30 mm. EXAMPLE - Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) obtained from orimulsion ash (in g) (19.4), sulfur (4.2) and concentrated sulfuric acid (39) were mixed for 10 minutes into a paste form. The paste-formed mixture was then calcined in an electric oven at 300 for 2 hours. The calcined matter after cooling showed lemon-yellow color and its weight was 41.5 g. When subjected to X-ray diffraction, vanadium sulfate (III) (V2(SO4)3) was confirmed. Concentrated sulfuric acid (10) and water (60 ml) were added to (V2(SO4)3) (41.5) and thermally dissolved at 100 for 3 hours to be concentrated. Subsequently cooling was performed to room temperature, followed by solidification, grinding. A modified vanadium compound containing hydrate of vanadium sulfate V2(SO4)3 was obtained. The compound had a green color and its weight was 71.2 g. The amount of excessive SO4 other than sulfate group comprising V2(SO4)3 was 13.5 weight%. The compound 35 g was added to water (50 ml) with various temperature, and time required for dissolving was measured. The solution time (in minutes) was 10, 5, 3, 2 at temperatures (degreesC) 25, 40, 50, 60, respectively
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The electrically insulating material is made of silicone polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The organic macromolecular material is selected from polyethylene glycol, diazoaminobenzene, azodicarbonamide or dinitrosopentamethylenetetramines.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The metal organic compound is selected from titanium, niobium, zinc or tin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The oxide semiconductor electrode is selected from titanium oxide, niobium oxide, zinc or tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The support has a specific surface area of over 50 m2/g, the support comprises 1-10 wt.% TiO2 and 0.1-10 wt.% gold and ruthenium (claimed).Preferred Process: The production of the catalyst comprises coating an inert catalyst with an aqueous suspension, drying, calcining, coating with gold and rutheniumby impregnating with them in solution, drying calcining and reducing (claimed). EXAMPLE - Al2O3 (specific surface area 140 g/m2) was suspended in water, homogenized to 3-10 mu (solids content 30 wt.%), applied to corderite and calcined. The support was impregnated with a solution of tetrachloro gold acid and ruthenium trichloride for 3 hrs. This was calcined and dried to give a catalyst containing 1.6 wt.% gold and ruthenium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The acidic electrolyte is sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, organic acids, sulfonic acid, sulfonated fluoropolymer and/or nitric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The hydrocarbon fuel is gasoline comprising methanol; or a mixture containing methanol (at most 10 wt.%).Preferred Condition: The process converts 70-90% of the thiophenes in the gasoline. The hydro-treating conditions comprise a reaction temperature of 350-475degreesF; a total pressure of 100-400 psi; and a space velocity of 1.0-4.0 hour-1 LHSV (sic).Preferred Product: The process produces a gasoline which contains less than 1, preferably less than 0.1 ppm sulfur.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The hydro-treating catalyst contains nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, platinum and/or palladium (preferably nickel and molybdenum on an aluminum support).Preferred Component: The solid adsorbent comprises alumina, a zeolite material, a clay material, activated carbon, copper or metal oxides. EXAMPLE - A fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) gasoline containing sulfur (40 ppm) and no methanol was hydro-treated under mild conditions to produce a fuel cell fuel containing less than 0.5 ppm total sulfur. The fuel was prepared by running the FCC gasoline through a fixed bed hydro-treater containing 3% cobalt oxide/13% molybdenum catalyst (4.2 g). The operation conditions of the hydro-treater were set at 425degreesF, a pressure of 200 psi, a once-through hydrogen flow rate of 44 cc/minute, and a space velocity of 2 hour-1 LHSV. The mercaptans were removed from the fuel by extraction, and the remaining sulfur components were quantified on a gas chromatography to determine the total sulfur in the fuel. Prior to extraction, the fuel was found to contain 3.1 ppm of total sulfur.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The anode catalyst comprises platinum and ruthenium, and the cathode catalyst comprises platinum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The proton conducting membrane is made of perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer or a co-polymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and perfluorovinyl ether sulfonic acid. The wetting agent is selected from polymeric perfluorosulfonic acid, polyhydrocarbon sulfonic acid, polyetherketonesulfonic acid, polyethersulfone sulfonic acid, polybenzimidazole, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and a co-polymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid (FVS). The oxygen solvent consists of a co-polymer of TFE, FVS and PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Pigment: The pigment has a carboxyl group, ester group, amido group, hydroxyl group, sulfonic acid group and/or phosphoric acid group in its molecule.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The oxide semiconductor fine particle consists of titanium dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: A latent heat accumulator is provided which contains sodium acetate, barium hydroxide or other phase-changing materials as the storage medium (22). The heat accumulator is integrated in the gas purification step.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The ignition region ignites at temperatures up to -20 degreesC and contains a larger concentration of catalytically active material. The ignition region is arranged downstream of the reaction region. The catalytically active material of the ignition region has a grain size of 10-1000 microns. The ignition region is electrically heated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: Electrical supply to the process is monitored to measure heat input.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT, the gas is passed through a mesh during its spiral flow. The spiral flow is in a single plane. The radius of the spiral increases with distance from the perforations. The walls (13) of the guide have guide ribs (14). Drains (9) are positioned around the guide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrolyte membrane further comprises a structural binder material and a separate conducting material. The electrolyte is water-insoluble. It is thermally stable above 100 degreesC. The electrolyte conducts both protons and electrons.Preferred Property: The electrolyte has a proton conductivity of at least 10 to the power -5 per ohm per cm at the temperature of utilization.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The solid acid includes variable valence element(s). Preferred Definitions:    M = lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), francium (Fr), or ammonium (NH4);    M' = beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), radium (Ra), lead (Pb);    M = scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), terbium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), or lutetium (Lu).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The substrate is p-type germanium and n-doped to form a bottom cell homojunction. At least a portion of the substrate is doped with arsenic. The Schottky diode is formed at least in part from the portion of the substrate doped with arsenic. An interconnect is between the portion of the substrate doped with arsenic and a p-type portion of the substrate. The substrate is doped with arsenic on the front surface of the substrate. The multijunction solar cell structure includes a third photovoltaic cell provided below the first photovoltaic cell; and a trough that exposes the front surface of the substrate. The third cell is a homojunction. The Schottky diode may be formed in the trough. It is electrically connected across the photovoltaic cells with a jumper bar or a C-shaped clamp. The circuit comprises at least two multijunction solar cell structures interconnected to one another. Preferred Property: The Schottky diode has a forward voltage drop of 0.3-0.6 volts when conducting 400 mA of forward current.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first photovoltaic cell is made of gallium arsenide (GaAs). The second photovoltaic cell is made of gallium indium phosphide (GaInP). The diode contact comprises titanium or titanium/palladium/silver (Ti/Pd/Ag).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The first metal compound in the aqueous solution is hydrogen hexahydroxy platinum and the second metal compound in the aqueous solution is ferric nitrate. Preferred Support: The porous catalyst support comprises alumina.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Amine: The alkanol amine is a mono ethanol amine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The target is zinc oxide (ZnO):X (X = gallium (Ga), aluminum (Al), indium (In) or boron (B)). The substrate comprises on the insulating substrate, molybdenum (Mo) electrode layer, p-type light absorbing layer, and n-type buffer layer in order.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The silicon source includes SiF4, SiBr4, SiCl2O, K2SiF6, Mg2Si3O8, MoSi2, Na2SiO3, SiS2, ZrSi2, Mg2Si, H2SiF6, NH4SiF6, SiO2, SiO or Si. The reduction oxidation solution comprises a solution with a pentavalent, tetravalent or bivalent metal. It preferably comprises a ferrous (Fe2+)/ferric (Fe3+) solution. The catalyst is hexafluorotitanate (H2TiF6).Preferred Method: The reaction takes place at below 35 degrees C. The silicon oxide layer is grown at at least 0.2 nm/minute.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The silicon source includes (CH3)3SiOK, Si(OOCCH3)4, (CH3)4NOH:10SiO2, (CH3)3CSi(CH3)2Cl, ((CH3)SiO)4 or ((CH3)Si)NK. The pyridine compound is pyridine, 1-6C alkyl pyridine or their salts or complexes. The butyl pyridinium salt is N(n-butyl)pyridinium chloride (C9H14ClN), pyridine (C5H5N), pyridine N-oxide (C5H5NO) or hydrogen fluoride-pyridine (C5H5N(HF)x).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Method: The depositing steps are performed by a printing process. The printing process is screen printing, hand printing, ink jetting or preferably electroless plating.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The electroluminescent material comprises a light emitting polymer such as poly(p-phenylene vinylene) or poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene). The first and second electrode layers, and the front outlining electrode, comprise a conductive polymer such as polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) or polyphenyleneamineimine. The transparent dielectric layer comprises polystyrene, polyethylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), polyvinylbutyral, polydimethyl siloxane, Teflon (RTM: polytetrafluoroethylene), polychloroprene or cyanoethylcellulose.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electroluminescent material comprises tris-(8-hydroxyquinolato) aluminum, tetra(2-methyl-8-hydroxyquinolato) boron or lithium salt.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The first and second electrode layers comprise indium tin oxide. The transparent dielectric layer further comprises silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, barium titanate, titanium oxide or strontium titanate. The front outlining electrode may comprise silver or carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The conductive pattern is an electroconductive pattern. The type A surface element has an outermost layer with respect to the support containing a proteinaceous binder.. The type B surface element has an outermost layer with respect to the support. It is exclusive of a proteinaceous binder. It contains an optionally corona or glow discharge treated polymer containing a monomeric unit. The patterned surface is planar or non-planar. The planar patterned surface is the surface of the support or a patternwise treated contiguous layer. The patternwise treatment is carried out with a corona discharge or a glow discharge. The non-planar patterned surface consists of a non-contiguous layer provided on a continuous layer or on the support.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Monomers: The monomeric unit is acrylate, acrylic acid, ethylene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, itaconic acid, melamine, methacrylate, methacrylic acid, optionally substituted isophthalic acid, optionally substituted terephthalic acid, or vinylidene chloride. Preferred Polymers: The intrinsically conductive polymer is a polymer or copolymer of an optionally substituted thiophene of formula (I).n = larger than 1;Either R1, R2 = H or optionally substituted 1-4C alkyl; or R1R2 = optionally substituted 1-4C alkylene or cycloalkylene, preferably ethylene, optionally alkyl-substituted methylene, optionally 1-12C alkyl- or phenyl-substituted ethylene, 1,3-propylene, or 1,2-cyclohexylene.The polyanion is poly(styrenesulfonate).Preferred Materials: The conductive element further contains a multidiazonium salt and/or a resin comprising a diazonium salt. The proteinaceous binder is gelatin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The magnetic material is a rare earth sintered magnet of neodymium iron boron group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sealant Layer: The sealant layer includes polyolefin and acid-modified polyolefin such as polypropylene and acid-modified polypropylene or polyethylene and acid-modified polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Fuel Cell: The fuel cell is a solid polymer fuel cell or a phosphoric acid fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metal: The noble metal hydrogen separation membrane is a palladium-group hydrogen separation membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The adhesive sheet has ethylene resin layer containing mainly polyethylene with shear modulus at 80degreesC of 3x105 Pa or ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, laminated on one surface of the modified ethylene resin layer. The adhesive sheet consists of mixture of modified ethylene resin grafted with alkoxy silane, polyethylene, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-acrylate copolymer and/or ethylene resin except modified ethylene resin. EXAMPLE - A hindered amine group optical stabilizer (in mass parts) (0.5) and a phenol group antioxidant (0.1) were added to silane modified ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer grafted with 0.8 mass% of alkoxy silane having melting point of 84degreesC, and resulting mixture was extruded at 150degreesC to form a 300 mum thick adhesive sheet. The sheet had shear modulus of 5x105 at 80degreesC. The sheet was used as filter for solar cell and solar cell module was produced. The adhesive sheet had excellent durability and adhesion. Reliability of the solar cell module was improved using the adhesive sheet. The solar cell module was produced at low temperature in a short time efficiently using the adhesive sheet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The portion with smaller thermal conductive material e.g. plastic material is selected from a group consisting of polycarbonate, polyamide, polyacetal, PPE, polyester, polyallylate, unsaturated polyester, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, polybutylene terephthalate, nylon, polypropyrene, polyvinyl chloride and ABS resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The portion with larger thermal conductive material is a resin mixed with material containing aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO2), silver (Ag), and stainless steel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The natural gas or methane is subjected to the action of the barrier discharge non-thermal plasma by passing a thin layer of the natural gas or methane in the gap between two elongated concentric electrodes containing a dielectric barrier in between and by producing a discharge of electrical pulses within the gap between the dielectric barrier and one of the electrodes thereby creating the barrier discharge non-thermal plasma in the gap, adapted to decompose the natural gas or methane into hydrogen and carbon.The natural gas or methane is subjected to intimate mixing with the plasma while passing through the gap. The natural gas or methane is preheated to 250-300degrees C before subjecting to the action of the barrier discharge non-thermal plasma.Carbon is separated from the hydrogen and collected in separate storage vessels. Preferred Apparatus: The internal electrode is cylindrical or frustoconical.The apparatus further has a unit for rotating the internal electrode at a predetermined speed.The internal electrode is provided with a continuous groove over its surface, forming a screw-like design.The dielectric barrier is formed of a ceramic material having dielectric constant of 80-20000.The dielectric barrier has a thickness of 0.5-4 mm.The gap between the internal electrode and the dielectric material is 0.25-4 mm wide.The high voltage pulser is capable of producing bi-polar electrical pulses.The apparatus has a separator for separating solid particles of carbon from hydrogen, sensors and/or monitors of operating parameters within the reactor, and a computerized control to adjust and control the parameters within predetermined values.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Solar Cell: The gel base material comprises a copolymer of thermoplastic polysiloxane obtained by ionic copolymerisation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Production: The melt used in step (i) is obtained by either (a) heating a homogenized mixture of all the components or (b) melting the nitrate mixture and then adding the other components, especially at 150-170 degreesC. Water may be added at 1-5 wt.% before the melt is formed, this addition being made in case (b) to the nitrate mixture. The thermal decomposition is at 400-600 degreesC for 10 minutes to 2 hours and water is added while the melt is cooled at 200-150 degreesC.Preferred Materials: The alloying element is a noble metal of the Pt group and/or a base metal, especially being ruthenium (Ru). The low-melting nitrate mixture is a binary or ternary lithium nitrate (LiNO3)-potassium nitrate (KNO3)-sodium nitrate (NaNO3) system, while the low-chlorine Pt compound is hexahydroxo-(IV)-platinic acid and the optional alloying component is ruthenium (Ru)-(IV)-oxide.hydrate or trinitratonitrosyl-Ru-(II). EXAMPLE - A platinum powder of particle size 4.2 nm, DIN 66131 BET surface area 52 m squared/g and total chlorine content below 30ppm which showed high catalytic activity in the hydrogenation of cinnamic acid was obtained by (i) heating a melt (1kg) of potassium nitrate (65%) and lithium nitrate (35%) to 150 degreesC, followed by adding hexahydroxo-(IV)-platinic acid (100g) and further heating at 450 degreesC for 90 minutes to complete Pt oxide formation; (ii) cooling the melt to room temperature with dilution with water while at 150-170 degreesC; (iii) filtering the solution, washing the filter cake and suspending it in 3% caustic soda; (iv) reducing the suspension with a 6% hydrazine solution (800 ml); and (v) filtering off the solid product and then vacuum drying it at 65 degreesC and sieving it.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The process gas inlet has a length extending at least partially to the process portion, and has openings spaced apart from each other for creating small bubbles of process gas and for dispersing bubbles escaping along length. The heat exchanger further has dividers positioned above the process gas inlet for dispersing process gas throughout the process portion. The process liquid inlet has a trap for preventing process gas from passing through process liquid inlet. The system for facilitating calculation of steam-carbon ratio, further has a process gas inlet for directing a hydrocarbon gas to process portion and is provided below water level in process portion such that hydrocarbon gas entering process portion bubbles through at least some water. The system further has a heat exchanger bypass line (44) for routing water to reformer or vaporizer, without passing water through heat exchanger.Preferred Method: The water level in the heat exchanger is maintained by measuring a liquid level in an external level indicator coupled to the heat exchanger and adjusting flow of water to the heat exchanger. The method further involves introducing hydrocarbon gas into the heat exchanger and bubbling the hydrocarbon gas through water to absorb water vapor from water and supplying water vapor to the reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Treatment: The semiconductor fine particles are treated with the silicon compound and a compound of formula (II).Mp . Zq (II)M = alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, imidazolium, or pyridinium ion;Z = halogen, carboxylate, sulfonate, phosphonate, sulfonylimide, sulfonylmethido, sulfate, thiocyanate, cyanate, perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate, or hexafluorophosphate ion; andp, q = integer equal to or greater than 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Alloy: The nickel-cobalt alloy is a Raney nickel-cobalt alloy which contains at least 5 mass % cobalt.Preferred Metal-hydrogen Complex Compound: The metal-hydrogen complex compound is preferably at least one selected from compounds of formulas (in claim 4). Formulas (in claim 4)-pM1 = alkali metal;M2 = alkaline earth metal and/or Zn;M3 = B, Al, and/or Ga;R = hydrocarbon, hydrocarbyloxy, and/or acyloxy group; andn = 0-3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The thin film solar cell contains a crystalline silicone type system group photoelectric converting layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sheet: The adhesive sheet is formed by laminating an alkoxy silane layer having an amino group on the surface of the modified ethylene group resin layer having shear modulus of 3x105 Pa or more at 80degreesC. The modified ethylene resin layer is an ethylene layer comprising polyethylene, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, ethylene-vinylacetate polymer and/or ethylene-acrylate polymer, and 0.01 mass% or more of epoxy compound as a copolymerization component or an addition component. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-glycidylmethacrylate copolymer (in weight part) (100), hindered amine group optical stabilizer (0.5), and phenol group antioxidant (0.1) were mixed and extruded into a sheet of thickness 300 mum at 160degreesC. The extruded sheet had shear modulus of 3x106 Pa at 80degreesC. The sheet was coated with ethanol solution of (gamma)-aminopropyl triethoxysilane and dried at 80degreesC for 20 seconds. Ethanol was volatilized and (gamma)-aminopropyl triethoxysilane coating of thickness 0.01 mum was formed on the surface of the sheet. The resulting adhesive sheet was laminated with aluminum foil in the order of polyvinylfluoride-aluminum foil laminate/adhesive sheet/aluminum plate/adhesive sheet, and heated in vacuum for 20 minutes at 130degreesC in a heat-resistant rubber bag. The resulting laminate was used for solar cell module. The arrangement was left for 2000 hours at 85degreesC and 85% relative humidity atmosphere based on JIS C8917, and at 23degreesC in 10% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide for 200 hours based on JIS K7114. Exfoliation of the adhesive sheet, yellowing or cracking of the sheet were not observed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal oxide particles are titania particles. The dye comprises ruthenium complex having ligand comprising carboxylate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte comprises redox couple of iodide/iodine, dissolved in organic solvent which is acetonitrile.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The oxide semiconductor fine particles contain titanium dioxide, and the dye is supported in the presence of a covering material in the oxide semiconductor fine particles. EXAMPLE - A compound of formula (22) (where n1 = 0; X1 = O; R1 = COOH; R2 = Ph; R11 = CH3; R12 = CH3; R14 = H; and R15 = H) is obtained by mixing 2 parts of 1-phenyl-3-carboxy-5-pyrazolone and 1.7 parts of 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde, adding 0.2 parts of piperazine, reacting for 2 hours under reflux, cooling, and filtering the solids, washing and drying.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The water repellent material is a polytetrafluoroethylene of molecular weight larger than 1000000. The water repellent conductive material is distributed in the gas diffusion layer. The conductive particles are carbon particles including a fluoro resin. The electrode has a layer of water repellent conductive particles on the surface of the side which contacts with the catalyst layer of the gas diffusion layer.Preferred Method: The heat treatment temperature is 270-330degreesC. EXAMPLE - A water repellent layer ink is obtained by mixing 30 weight% of an aqueous dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene to acetylene black, and the water repellent layer ink is applied on carbon paper and heated for 20 minutes at 280degreesC to produce a gas diffusion layer. A catalyst layer is formed on both surfaces of a polymer electrolyte film (Nafion 112 film). The catalyst layer is formed from a mixture of 96 weight parts of platinum catalyst supported on carbon particles, and 4 weight parts of polymer electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The material has several channels defined in it. The method further comprises curing the resin in the material. It further comprises, prior to the molding step, adding an additive to the particles and modifying a physical property of the material which results from the molding step. The molding is performed by die-pressing the uncured particles, isostatic molding the uncured particles, or on the uncured resin-impregnated particles without adding any additional resin to the particles.Preferred Properties: The material has a density of at least 1.3 g/cm cubed. A majority of the particles have a particle size of not more than 14 U.S. mesh.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The additive includes fibers or nanotubes, and a metal fiber to improve electrical conductivity of the material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The additive includes a carbonizing graphite fiber to improve thermal conductivity of the material. EXAMPLE - Uncured epoxy impregnated flexible graphite sheet material is comminuted to produce particles, 100% of which would pass through 50 mesh. The particles were produced from 70 mg/cm squared sheet having a resin content of approximately 30%. The particles were vacuum die-pressed at approximately 4500 psi to form a flow field plate for a fuel cell. The plate had a density of 1.31 g/cm cubed and has food definition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The gel-form electrolyte composition further contains a halogen containing compound containing element selected from nitrogen, phosphorus and/or sulfur, a polymer of an onium salt, 1-methyl-3-ethyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate dissolved in the liquid electrolyte (1-50 weight%), an organic solvent and water.
EXAMPLE - The stoppage of reforming of MeOH using a noble metal (Pd) 400-cell honeycomb catalyst with a carrier (200g/l) was effected by air introduction at catalyst temperature 300degreesC, water : EtOH ratio = 1.5 and LHSV = 1, the results for the change in catalyst temperature over time being shown in the graph below in comparison with a control run using a much slower cooling Cu catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The oxide-etching component consists of hydrofluoric acid, ammonium fluoride and/or ammonium hydrogen fluoride. The interacting time is 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred System: The catalyst chamber has a hydrogen generator catalyst for reacting with a hydride solution to create hydrogen. The solution is a metal hydride solution, especially NaBH4 solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The film includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as basis material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: An adhesive (5) containing a conductive substance is used to adhere the film on the back surface of the solar battery cell. The film is colored with a single, uniform color or with a color that is selected arbitrarily. It is translucent, and is sized to have no more than an area equal to a single sheet of the solar battery cell. It is sized to cover not less than 2 successive sheets of the solar battery cell. It is sized to match an entirety of a surface of the photovoltaic module. It is continuous within an interconnection of a matrix (3) of the solar battery cells. A letter or a pattern is arranged on the film at a portion seen through the backside glass. The backside glass has an outer side with an entire surface covered with a translucent, colored film. The indoor glass has a surface with the translucent, colored film. The surface of the indoor glass that is opposite the photovoltaic module of the glass laminate structure and the surface of the photovoltaic module of glass laminate structure have a polarizing, translucent film.
EXAMPLE - The drawing (Fig 1) shows the surface reactivity of various ternary alloys, M/Pt/Ru with a ratio of Pt:M=2:1 in the surface layer. The alloyed atom in the surface, M, is listed along the horizontal axis. Pure Pt represents monometallic Pt, while Pt represents the binary alloy Pt/Ru. The reactivity is measured by the difference of the adsorption energies of CO((Delta)E2) and H2((Delta)E1), (Delta)E2-(fraction (1/2))(Delta)E1. The larger this number is, the higher the hydrogen coverage (and the lower the CO coverage) and the better the anode catalysts.    As shown in the figure, the pure Pt has the lowest performance. The most active among the related prior art ternary alloys, viz. Ni/Pt2/Ru and Sn/Pt2/Ru show a surface reactivity corresponding to the alloy according to the invention Rh/Pt2/Ru, but are without the resistance to corrosion shown by the latter alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Element: Group 2 element is zinc. Group 3 element is at least one kind chosen from indium and gallium. Group 6 element is at least one kind chosen from selenium and sulfur. The element contained in the optical absorption layer is I-III-VI2 group element containing copper, indium and selenium. The element contained in the buffer layer is II-III2-VI4 group element. The transparent layer consists of zinc oxide. The electrode consists of at least one kind of element chosen from gold, molybdenum, nickel and platinum or their metallic oxide. The transparent substrate consists of glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The electrolyte composition contains a halogen-containing compound which comprises nitrogen, phosphorus and/or sulfur. The content of water in the electrolyte composition is 10-50 weight%. The electrolyte contains 0.01-3 mol/L of fused salt having an iodine as anion. Preferred Properties: The halogen-containing compound has a molecular weight of 500 or less. The equivalence with respect to the halogen atom which forms the onium salt of the halogen-containing compound exceeds the equivalence of the compound containing nitrogen, phosphorus and/or sulfur. The halogen atom in the halogen-containing compound is bonded to the benzylic position.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The electrolyte composition contains a polymer of onium salt.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The electrolyte composition further contains an organic solvent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The catalytic layer is made using water- based hydrophilic inks. Prior to formation of the membrane electrode element, the polymer- electrolyte membrane is pre- soaked in solvent used for the catalytic layer. The carbon substrate is 1- 30% loaded with PTFE, with respect to the water- repellent carbon substrate total weight. The bond between the polymer- electrolyte membrane and the catalytic layers with carbon substrate, is created in two stages. Preferred Method: In the first stage, the two parts are brought together at a temperature of 70- 100degrees C and pressure of 1- 5 bar. In the second stage, the temperature is raised to between 120 and 145degrees C and pressure of 10- 120 bar, in each case for a period of 1- 10 minutes. also claimed is a commensurate polymer- electrolyte membrane catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compositions: The concentrates contain 0.05-5 wt.% of the azole derivative and have a maximum conductivity of 50 microS/cm when diluted with deionized water to give a ready-to-use composition comprising by wt. alkylene glycols or derivatives (10-90%); water (90-10%); azole derivative (0.005-5%); and optionally also ortho-silicic esters (2-2,000ppm Si).Preferred Compounds: The azole derivative is benzimidazole, benzotriazole or optionally hydrogenated tolutriazole and the alkylene glycol is monoethylene glycol. EXAMPLE - A coolant containing by volume monoethylene glycol (60%) and water (40%) had its electrical conductivity after 42 days in presence of Amberjet UP 6040 (RTM: ion-exchange resin) reduced from 36.2 to only 3.9 microS/cm on addition of benzotriazole (0.1 wt.%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The units for removing the sulfur have a high space velocity and are formed as a monolith. Individual components of the device are formed by microstructure technology. The units for removing the sulfur have a regeneration unit (40).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The oxidant gas from the combustor is directed to the cathode of the fuel cell. A portion of the exhaust gas from the anode is directed to the gasifier. The combustor is concentric around the gasifier to increase efficiency by reducing heat losses from the gasifier. The system has a gas velocity of 0.5-7.0 ft/sec, and permits biomass throughputs of 100-4400 (preferably 500-4400) lbs/ft2-hr. The carbonaceous char from the gasifier is returned to the combustor when the char and combustible gases are exothermically combusted, to reheat a heat transfer medium in the combustor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The system further includes a burner (30). The reformer is a steam reformer.Preferred Method: The heavy fuel stream is burned in the burner to generate thermal energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The hydrogen sulfite is sodium hydrogen sulfite or potassium hydrogen sulfite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: A solid gas reaction of silicon substrate and magnesium vapor is performed, to form the magnesium silicide thin film. The substrate is taken in a heat-resistant container, sealed with a lid. The container is installed in a vacuum vessel and is heated to produce a solid gas reaction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Raw Material: The modification raw material contains field fuel, water and air.Preferred Arrangement: The field fuel, water and air are each provided with a heat exchanger, a heat exchange flow path, a bypass flow path and a flow rate controller. The modifier has a carbon monoxide reduction portion provided to the downstream side of a reformation portion. The heat exchanger is provided between the reformation portion and the carbon monoxide reduction portion, or is provided inside the carbon monoxide reduction portion. The measured quantity measured by the sensor is the coolant temperature in the outlet of the heat exchanger. The coolant temperature in the outlet of the heat exchanger is set as the boiling temperature of the coolant. The fuel reformer is stabilized by the flow rate controller when showing a change whose measured value is not preferable for running condition. The modifier has an evaporation portion (141) for evaporating the modification raw material supplied from the supply port. The measured quantity is the temperature of the modification raw material, and pressure of at least one side of the evaporation portion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The metal of the metal supported catalyst is selected from nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, rhenium, tungsten, vanadium, osmium, chromium, cobalt and/or iron. The carrier of the metal supported catalyst is selected from activated carbon, carbon nano tube, molecular sieve, zeolite, silica gel and/or alumina.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The hydrogen storage and supply system further has a controller for controlling conditions of the hydrogenation reaction and/or the dehydrogenation reaction in reactor. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The aromatic compound is selected from benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthrenes and/or their alkyl derivatives.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The carrier which supports the metal is a conductive material or partial conductive material. The metal of the catalyst is nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, rhenium, tungsten, vanadium, osmium, chromium, cobalt and iron.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hydrogen storage and supply system further comprises a controller (10) for controlling hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reaction conditions.Preferred Compound: The aromatic compound is benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthracene and their alkaline derivatives. EXAMPLE - 0.5 weight% platinum was supported on an activated carbon support to produce a metal supported catalyst which was accommodated in a reactor. A high frequency current was passed in an electromagnetic induction coil and the catalyst was heated to 240-270 degreesC. Cyclohexane (6 ml) was supplied and a hydrogen generation rate was 36 l/minute after 30 minutes. The conversion ratio of cyclohexane to benzene was 80% and the benzene was collected. For storing hydrogen, the catalyst temperature was increased to 70-120 degreesC, and benzene 9 ml was supplied. The conversion ratio of benzene to cyclohexane was 50% after 30 seconds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The hydrogen storage and supply system further comprises a controller (10) which controls the conditions of hydrogenation reaction and/or dehydrogenation in the reactor. A metal supported catalyst is coated to the tube surface of the cylindrical component or the catalyst is packed in a pipe.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The metal supported catalyst comprises metal which supports the metal chosen form nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, rhenium, tungsten, vanadium, osmium, chromium, cobalt and iron. Carrier which supports a supporting metal is chosen from activated carbon, carbon nanotube, molecular sieve, zeolite, silica gel and alumina.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The aromatic compound is chosen from benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, phenanthrene and its alkyl derivative. EXAMPLE - Metal carrying catalyst (25 g) which contained porous activated carbon and which supported 0.5 weight% of platinum was used. Dehydrogenation of cyclohexane and hydrogenation of benzene were performed using the catalyst. The catalyst was packed in a cylindrical component of a reactor of 16 cm length and 2 cm internal diameter. High frequency current was passed and the catalyst was directly heated by electromagnetic induction heating. Catalyst temperature was raised to 240-270 degreesC and cyclohexane was continuously supplied to the reactor. Hydrogen generation rate after 30 minutes was 22 l/minute. The conversion ratio from cyclohexane to benzene was 95% and benzene was recovered by a reaction material recovery unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Amount: The molar ratio of predetermined substance such as molybdenum and rhenium, with respect to amount of platinum, is 0.1-5, preferably 0.3-3. The molar ratio of predetermined substance such as niobium, with respect to amount of platinum, is 0.05-10, preferably 0.1-5. Another oxide porous substance supported on the platinum is at least one kind of titanium dioxide, aluminum trioxide, zirconium dioxide, magnesium oxide and cerium dioxide. The amount of cerium oxide derived from cerium oxide sol with respect to the entire porous layer is 1-30 weight%, preferably 3-10 wt.%.Preferred Method: The oxide porous substance is supported on a honeycomb carrier to form a porous layer. The platinum is supported on the porous layer. The binding energy of the electron in the platinum is increased. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The predetermined substance is at least one of molybdenum, rhenium and niobium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The heat processing is performed in presence of water vapor and optionally a gas chosen from oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide for 15 minutes to 12 hours at 200-800 degreesC. The carrier is chosen from silica, alumina, silica-alumina, zirconia, titania, magnesia and zeolite, preferably alumina. The metal component in the carrier is preferably ruthenium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: Each film thickness of the inorganic heat resistant layer, organic polymer layer and the substrate is made thicker in the order of heat resistant layer, polymer layer and substrate. The organic polymer layer comprises an acrylic resin, epoxy resin or a polymer material including these. The functional layer has crystallinity and includes a semiconductor or an oxide. Specific functional layer includes silicon. The device may also have an electrode for the functional layer between the functional layer and the inorganic heat resistant layer. The substrate can be removed from the functional layer. A warp inhibiting layer can be provided on the surface opposite to the surface on which the functional layer is provided.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Another different inorganic layer can be formed between the substrate and the organic polymer layer. The inorganic heat resistant layer and the other inorganic heat resistant layer have a thermal conductivity smaller than the functional layer and a thermal expansion coefficient smaller than the organic polymer layer. The inorganic layer layers contains at least1 selected from oxides, nitrides and oxynitrides or are formed from an inorganic carbide or a carbon material. A metal layer of at least1 layer can be formed between the polymer layer and the inorganic heat resistant layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst further comprises an alkali and/or alkaline earth metal on the carrier. The halogen is chlorine.Preferred Amount: The weight ratio of titania and alumina in the carrier is 0.1:99.9-90:10. The halogen content of the catalyst is preferably less than 0.1 wt.%.Preferred Gas: The hydrogen-containing gas is gas used for fuel cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metallic Oxide: The metallic oxide is a metallic oxide containing titanium, zinc, strontium, indium, tungsten, vanadium, aluminum, iron and/or tin. Preferred Microparticle: The photoelectron-emission microparticle contains carbon and graphite as main component. The microparticle contains a carbon nanotube and fullerene. The microparticle is a metallic oxide containing copper oxide, silver oxide and/or iron oxide. EXAMPLE - Copper oxide powder was taken in an alumina crucible of a vapor deposition device. Oxygen and helium gas were introduced and the substrate temperature was made into -50degreesC. Copper oxide was evaporated in gas by 133 Pa. The microparticle of copper oxide was deposited on the substrate. Titanium acetate microparticle was mixed in a solution of ethanol and water. The obtained sol-like liquid was coated on a stainless steel plate and heated for 3 hours at 500degreesC. A copper oxide microparticle-dispersed titanium oxide film with a thickness of 500 nm was obtained. A parallel plate photoconductive element was obtained by laminating the obtained film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The deposition material may be deposited using an electrostatic spray head.The method also includes curing the deposited fluid by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and depositing optical material on the solar cell.The solar cell is deposited on polyaniline layer containing TCNQ for injecting electrons.Preferred Components: The solar cell has a photovoltaic structure.The optical surface comprises anti-reflection surface, array of microlenses (412), and/or moisture and water vapor barrier.The droplets comprise droplet(s) of one material and droplet(s) of another material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The deposition material comprises transparent conducting material (e.g. polyaniline), 60C-doped conducting polymer, metallo-organic, and/or polymeric semiconducting material.The optical material comprises organically-modified ceramic and/or polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Unit: The two hydrogen storage units contain a unit for storing hydrogen in a gaseous or liquid form and the unit for storing hydrogen in solid form with a metal hydride. The container is cylindrical and has an axial opening (17). The hybrid tank further contains a heat exchanger containing metallic grid, fiber or porous metallic structure (21) extending transversally within the container. Each grid is in direct contact with the axial heat pipe, metallic liner and hydride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conditions: The hydride of the outer container has low or high equilibrium plateau pressure, preferably more than 40 bar at the operating temperature of the tank.Preferred Hydride: The hydride is a titanium or alanate (AlHx) based hydride. The hydride is chosen from sodium alanate (NaAlH4), lithium alanate (LiAlH4), lanthanum nickel complex (LaNi5H6) and magnesium complex (MgH2) or titanium-chromium (TiCr1.8), titanium-manganese (TiMn2-y), hafnium-copper (Hf2Cu), zirconium-palladium (Zr2Pd), titanium-copper (TiCu3) and vanadium-chromium (V0.855Cr0.145). EXAMPLE - A hydrogen storage tank of 1 l volume was filled with a powder of nanoparticles of lanthanum-nickel (LaNi5) hydride having an average diameter of 5 nm. The powder occupied 50 volume.% of the tank. The tank was then filled with gaseous hydrogen at 10-700 bars. The amount of hydrogen in gaseous phase at 3600 psi was 15% of the total amount of hydrogen within the tank. When the pressure reached equilibrium plateau of the hydride, preferably 2 bars at room temperature using fuel cell or generator, no hydrogen in gaseous phase was observed. Refilling up of the tank was performed at reduced time compared with metal hydride tanks. The hydrogen storage capacity was improved.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The device has a hydrogen sulfide removal body provided in the reforming catalyst body.The reforming catalyst is provided at a fixed spacing from the top flow side to the bottom flow side of the flow of raw materials.The hydrogen sulfide removal body is provided in a space.The device has a temperature detector for the reforming catalyst, and a temperature controller for the reforming part.The metal oxide of the catalyst is at least zirconium oxide.The device has a hydrogen sulfide removal part composed by a metal oxide or metal provided directly after the reforming part.A metal sulfide is formed by reacting the hydrogen sulfide and the metal oxide or metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The catalyst is formed of tungsten, tantalum, platinum and/or molybdenum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each of the cells has front and back contacts and the cells are interconnected by conductors that have been soldered in place using an acidic flux. The solar cells can be cadmium telluride solar cells or CIGS solar cells comprising Cu(InGa)(SeS)2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The ionomer consists of ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, or Surlyn 1705. The ionomer can be modified by the addition of ultraviolet (UV) absorber, such as Chimasorb 944 and UV stabilizer, such as Tinuvin 328.Preferred Property: The zinc ionomer has low water solubility and melts at 95degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The front panel is made of glass and the rear sheet is made of Tedlar.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The hydrocarbon and/or oxygenate is pre-treated prior to the reforming step (a) by heating to 300-700 degrees C or by pre-reforming in a pre-reformer (32) to produce methane. The reforming step (a) is performed at 1-30 bars (preferably 5-10 bars) and 700-1000 degrees C (preferably 775-825 degrees C). The product stream produced in step (a) comprises carbon monoxide which is converted to carbon dioxide by:(i) reacting with an oxygen-containing gas,(ii) reacting with steam to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen and/or(iii) contacting with an oxygen-containing gas under partial oxidation conditions to oxidize carbon monoxide in preference to hydrogen.The hydrogen is fed to a storage system e.g. tank and/or metal hydride storage system.Preferred Apparatus: The combustion chamber can be positioned concentrically within the reforming reactor. The heat transfer mechanism comprises heating conduits positioned in the vicinity or in intimate contact with the exterior of the reforming reactor. The apparatus further includes pre-heating units (10, 12, 14) for heating the reactant feed for the reformer reactor; and a partial oxidation reactor and/or a water-shift reactor (22).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The substrate onto which the semiconductor layer is transferred consists of a plastic material, in particular, polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The micro-component system is in operative combination with a fuel cell that consumes hydrogen and exhausts hydrogen-containing off gas. The combustor burns the fuel cell off gas to provide heat energy source which is interconnected with a heat exchanger for transferring heat to the steam reformer. The steam reformer catalytically reforms the feed stock comprising hydrocarbon composition and water into hydrogen-enriched gas. A flow path is provided between the steam reformer and fuel cell for introducing hydrogen-enriched gas into the fuel cell. The laminar flow unit is a microchannel having a width:depth aspect ratio of 1:10 - 1:100. It includes a catalytically active surface in contact with the fluid flow.The micro-component system also includes a second heat exchanger for cooling the gas from the steam reformer, a water-gas shift reactor (42, 50), a preferential oxidation reactor (60), storage tank(s) for separately storing at least one fuel cell off gas, liquid hydrocarbon composition and water and an in-line Zeolite cracker.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first material comprises a zeolite, preferably type X zeolite.The second material comprises an H2S absorbent.The COS hydrolysis catalyst comprises a material including titania, zirconia, thoria, lanthanide oxide, alumina, ceria, molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide, manganese oxide, cobalt oxide, iron oxide, or nickel oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The odorant compound comprises a material including tetrahydrothiophene, tert. butyl mercaptan, isopropyl mercaptan, propyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, or methyl ethyl sulfide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The method further involves reacting the gas with a COS hydrolysis catalyst, to convert a COS sulfide component of the gas to H2S after removing the odorant and prior to removing the H2S in the second step.The method further involves heating a third material to greater than 10 degreesC, where the third material adsorbs H2S; and flowing the gas through the third material prior to contacting the gas with the first material. It involves flowing the gas from the second material through a fourth material to provide a visual indication of H2S detection; maintaining the first material at a first temperature and maintaining the second material at a second temperature which is different from the first temperature; absorbing the odorant component into the first material and replacing the first material with fresh first material while not replacing the second material; absorbing H2S into the second material and replacing the second material with fresh second material while not replacing the first material; and/or flowing the gas through a cold-start material comprising nickel during a system start-up step and by-passing the gas away from the cold-start material when a temperature of the first material rises to a predetermined level.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The carbon dioxide fixing material is calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, strontium oxide, strontium hydroxide, allanite, andralite, ankerite, anorthite, aragoniter, calcite, dolomite, clinozoisite, huntite, hydrotalcite, lawsonite, meionite, strontianite, vaterite, jutnohorite, minrecordite, benstonite, olekminskite, nyerereite, natrofairchildite, fairchildite, zemkorite, butschlite, shortite, remondite, petersenite, calcioburbankite, burbankite, khanneshite, carboncernaite, brinkite, pryrauite and/or strontio dressenite. The reforming catalyst is nickel, platinum, rhodium, palladium and/or ruthenium, and is supported on a high surface area support, chosen from alumina, titania and/or zirconia.Preferred Process: Reaction is performed at 400-800 (500-650) deg. C. The hydrogen-rich gas has a CO concentration of less than 10 wppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The housing (2) inlet zone (3) acts as a selective oxidation stage. The oxidation pre-stage (6) is a selective oxidation pre-stage receiving oxygen which is introduced within another medium prior to the droplet separator (4). The droplet separator (4) is a knitted mesh (7) either side of a flow guide-baffle (8) which diverts the flow through 90 degrees or more.The zeolite moisture adsorbent (5) is a bulk material sandwiched between two mesh panels and mixed or doped with metal. The metals are lithium, aluminum, copper and/or iron.The housing (2) inner face (11) is insulated with alumina. The housing (2) is formed by two plates forming part of the fuel cell plate reactor. The droplet separator (4), adsorber (5) and oxidation stage (6) are located in a space between plates.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: One side of the heat exchanger comprises a combustor for the generation of heat energy; and a catalyst. The combustor comprises a microchannel for directing laminar fluid flow in which a side segment of the channel is coated with the catalyst; a metal foam catalyst module interconnected with the heat exchanger; and a flame combustor. The hydrogen is combusted in the catalyst module. The heat energy from the combustion is introduced to the first side of the first heat exchanger. The hydrogen gas producing reactor is a steam reformer or an auto-thermal reformer. The heat exchangers (1, 2) include two separately enclosed units; or a pair of spaced wave formed plate separators. Each unit has a central volume separated by a wave formed plate. The volume on one side of the wave formed plate comprises heater channels. The opposite side of the wave formed plate comprises vaporizer channels. The wave formed plate separators are on the volume of the same enclosure. They define a central vaporizer section between facing sides of the wave formed plates, and separate first and second combustor/heater sections on the oppositely facing sides of the plates. A minor portion (3 mass%) of the vaporized hydrocarbons exiting the second side of the second heat exchanger is introduced into the first side of the second heat exchanger, to provide an energy source for the vaporizer on the opposite side of the heat exchanger. It is mixed with fuel cell off-gas.Preferred Property: The micro channels formed in the separator have a width to depth aspect ratio of less than 1:100 (preferably 1:10).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst comprises platinum and/or palladium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: Alternately, the platinum-alloy supported catalyst is forming by mixing two or more types of catalyst with a carbon carrier. At least one carbon powder is heat-processed at 2700-2800 degrees C and another carbon powder is heat-processed at 2400-2500 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Target: The sintered compact contains indium oxide with indium substituted by molybdenum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The sintering step is performed at 850-1,000 degreesC, preferably 900-960 degreesC, for not more than 30, preferably not more than 10 minutes. The step (c) is carried out at 960-1,000 degreesC. The exposed p-type silicon surfaces are in grooves cut into the surface of the cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Element: The Group V element consists of phosphorus or arsenic.Preferred Compound: The compound of Group V element consists of phosphorus (V) oxychloride (POCl3). The silicon is monocrystalline silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst accommodated in the longitudinal cavities, is powder, granule, pellet or extrudate selected from the group of mono-, bi-, poly-metallic alloys and oxides of IIIB including rare earth metals and noble metals, transition metal groups, alkali metal groups IA-IVA and IVB-VIIB, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sb, Te, Bi and Se.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The substrate surface temperature during silicon deposition is below the silicon melting temperature of at least 1350 degrees C. EXAMPLE - SiC was coated on the inside wall as a substrate. The base material was heated to 1400 degrees C and hydrogen and trichlorosilane were introduced as raw material gases. Silicon was deposited on the inner wall. After stopping the supply of hydrogen and trichlorosilane, the temperature was raised to 1500 degrees C to recover the silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The catalysts in the CO removal system comprises Pt, Rh, Au, Cu/ZnO, Cu/CuO, ABO3 (perovskite), zeolite and Pd.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: R2 in formula (I) is one of formulae (III)-(XXIV).Preferred Property: The colorless and transparent polyimide has average molecular weight of 20000-300000.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The lactone-type polymerization catalyst is gamma-valerolactone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: R2 in formula (I) is one of formulas (III)-(XXIII).Preferred Property: The colorless and transparent polyimide has average molecular weight of 20000-300000.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The lactone-type polymerization catalyst is gamma-valerolactone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The sensitizing dye is either three-dimensional rule type polyalkayl thiophene, polybutyl thiophene or ruthenium complex.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The thickness of layer (B) is 5-20 micro m and that of layer (A) is 0.1-20 micro m. Further, a hydrogen barrier layer comprising fullerene derivative and polyvinyl alcohol mixture is provided on at least one surface of proton conductor film. The thickness of hydrogen barrier layer is 0.1-10 micro m. A proton dissociation property group or electron withdrawing group is introduced into the fullerene molecule. The proton dissociation property group is -XH or -OH or -YOH, where X and Y are arbitrary atoms or atom having bivalent bond, preferably -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H or -OPO(OH)2. The electron withdrawing group is nitro, carbonyl, carboxyl, nitrile, alkyl halide or halogen. EXAMPLE - A dispersion liquid comprising hydrogen sulfate esterified fullerenol was coated on a carbon electrode and the solvent was volatilized to form a layer (A) of thickness 2.5 micro m. A liquid comprising hydrogen sulfate esterified fullerenol and polyvinyl alcohol was coated on the formed layer (A) to form a layer (B) of thickness 2.5 micro m. A platinum particle was dispersed on the surface of the carbon electrode to form a fuel cell. The obtained fuel cell had excellent output.
Preferred System: The system includes an automatic orientation device (3) having a pair of orthogonal cables and actuating means (31) adapted to selectively tension the cables in order to rotate the reflecting member about the focus region. The automatic orientation device comprises a photovoltaic transducer for driving the actuating means fixed with the reflecting member. The transducer comprises pairs of photovoltaic sensors differently oriented and electrically connected, so that the potential difference between the cells of a pair depends on the orientation of the reflecting member with respect to the incident radiation. The orientation device comprises, for each pair of cells, a relay, its movable member being selectively moved, by electromagnetic attraction, according to the potential difference between the cells.    Preferred Thermal Plant: The heat exchanger comprises a spiral shaped exchange component. Heat exchangers are connected in parallel by means for feeding process water. The plant is combined with a heat exchanger inside a hot-air motor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The pyramidal projection is formed of light reflective material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, nickel, iron or their alloys, or titanium nitride, etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Feed Stream: The feed stream is a fluid or water vapor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The proton conducting membrane comprises a proton conductor and a phase material (B). The proton conductor comprises lanthanide element group (VIA) element and a metal ion selected from group (IA) and/or group (IIA) elements.The proton conductor preferably contains cerium, oxygen and group (IIA) element selected from barium and/or strontium, and yttrium.The phase material (B) is selected from platinum, palladium, nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, vanadium, silver, gold, copper, rhodium, ruthenium, niobium, zirconium and/or tantalum, preferably nickel, palladium and/or niobium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Systems: A reformed gas supplying device for a fuel cell uses the CO concentration reducing device.A coolant is supplied to the coolant passing portions.Reformed gas for fuel and oxygen-containing gas are supplied to the CO-containing gas passing portions.
EXAMPLE - An imidazolium salt of 1-tert.-butyl-3-isopropylimidazolium-TFN had a conductivity of 10.8 mS/cm and a potential window of -3.2 to +2.4 volt versus I-/I3- redox potential.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The composition further comprises a mercapto compound featuring at least two thiol groups. The composition comprises 75-99.9 pts.wt of (I) and 0.1-25 pts.wt. of the mercapto compound. The mercapto compound can be of formula (HS-R1-CO-O)a-R2 (II), (III) or (IV):R1 = -CH2- or -CH2CH2-;R2 = 2-15C hydrocarbon residue which can contain ether oxygen;a = 2-6;X = HS-(CH2)b-(CO)-(OCH2CH2)d-(CH2)c-;b, c = 1-8;d = 0-2;R3, R4 = 1-3C alkylene group;e, f = 0 or 1;g = 1 or 2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: When the reactant gas is a synthesis gas and granular flowable catalyst is rhodium, nickel, thoria or magnesium oxide, the product is methane. When the reactant gas is a synthesis gas and the catalyst is metal iron, metal cobalt, metal nickel, thoria, magnesium oxide, alumina, or potassium oxide, the product is paraffin or olefin. When the reactant gas is synthesis gas and the catalyst is zinc oxide, chrome oxide, metal copper or alumina, the product is methanol. When the reactant gas is synthesis gas, and the catalyst is rhodium, metal iron or silica, the product is ethanol. When the reactant gas is synthesis gas, and the catalyst is zinc oxide, chrome oxide, metal copper or alkali metal, the product is higher alcohol. When the reactant gas is synthesis gas, and the catalyst is metal rhodium, metallic potassium or cerium, the product is ethylene glycol. When the reactant gas is hydrocarbon and water vapor, and the catalyst is metal nickel supported by alumina, the product is synthesis gas. When the reactant gas is carbon dioxide and water vapor, and the catalyst is metal iron or metal nickel, the product is hydrogen. When the reactant gas is hydrocarbon and nitrogen and the catalyst is metal iron, alumina or potassium oxide, the product is ammonia.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The gas-making device further has a fuel cell main component which produces electric power from the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The electrode (I) is arranged at the inner wall of the reactor and the electrode (II) is arranged in the flow path. The gas-making method further involves supplying heat energy to the gas-reacting substance by the low-temperature plasma.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The CaO constitutes 0.5-15%, preferably 2-5%, calculated on the basis of the entire melt, while the rest of the melt is preferably CaCl2. The electrodes used in the process are substantially inert. Cathode material such as silicon or silicon-containing alloys, an alloy of silicon with some amounts of calcium, and iron and tungsten or alloys of these materials, is used. Anode material such as nickel ferrite, doped tin oxide, carbon or an oxidation resistant alloy of metals ,e.g., tungsten, silver or the noble metals platinum and palladium, and nickel ferrite cermet containing copper and nickel or antimony-doped tin oxide, is used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The thermo-responsive polymer is a positive thermo-responsive polymer. It is a gas diffusion layer deposited directly on the membrane electrode assembly.Preferred Property: The changes in the operating temperature alter the hydrophobicity of the polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The VIII group noble metal is platinum. The conductive support material is carbon black, graphitized carbon, graphite or active carbon. The electrocatalyst obtained from 10-40 wt.% platinum and ruthenium, and 60-90 wt.% of conductive material. The anode further comprises a perfluorinated polymer membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: A separation membrane is a hydrogen selectively permeable membrane, and is made of polyethylene, polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Acid: The acid added to the electrolyte, is chosen from sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid and/or acetic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The methane-rich gas is used as a heating gas for boiler, gas engine or fuel cell (13). The digestive gas is supplied in alternate fixed time periods. At least two carbon dioxide fixed units equipped with the carbon dioxide fixing device are arranged, and gas is supplied. In one fixed unit, it leads the cathode of a direct current power source with the cathode of the fixing device in the unit, and its anode with the anode of the fixing device, and carries out separation-fixation to the cathode of the fixing device by making the carbon dioxide in the gas into carbonate, without supplying fuel gas. In the other carbon dioxide unit, it leads the cathode of the same electric power source with the anode of the fixing device, and the cathode with the cathode of the same carbon dioxide fixing device cathode. The separate-fixed carbon dioxide is discharged out of the apparatus. The solid electrolyte is formed in the shape of device. The anode is covered in the hollow surface and the cathode is covered by the outer wall surface. The ion supply source substance is filled in the hollow portion. The carbon dioxide fixed unit carries out suspending support of the carbon dioxide fixing device, and comes into the pipe interior in which gas containing carbon dioxide and oxygen circulates. A damage unit is provided to detour the flow of gas which passes through the lower end of the diacid carbonizing fixing device. The supported carbon dioxide fixing device penetrates the piping. The fixing device is provided in a container with which gas containing carbon dioxide and oxygen is supplied, and is the opening of the container. A piping for introducing the gas containing carbon dioxide and oxygen, and a piping for emitting the gas in the container are attached. Multiple fixing devices are installed. The fixed unit is provided with a heater to raise the temperature of the fixed unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The outer diameter of the pressure container is smaller than the internal diameter. The periphery wall portion and a low-wall portion are formed of porous material. A cartridge (3) which accommodates a hydrogen occlusion material, and a holder which holds the cartridge in the pressure container, are provided. A low-wall portion of the cartridge separates the base (2b) and the space of the pressure container. The holder holds the cartridge so that it is positioned by the periphery wall portion separating the inner surface (2a) and the space of the pressure container. A gas passage way is connected to the pressure container and a valve is provided to the gas passage way. A hydrogen gas supply source (14) is connected by the gas passage way in the pressure container. The cross-section of the cartridge is annular. The inner peripheral wall portion of the cartridge is formed of porous material. A heating unit is provided to heat the pressure container. Change valves (I,II) (13,15) are provided to the gas passage way. The hydrogen gas supply source is connected to the gas passage way through change valve (I). A supply source of inactive gas is connected to the gas passage way through change valve (II). Change valve (III) is provided to the gas passage way. A supply source of reducible gas is connected to the gas passage way through change valve (III). The holder provided to the low-valve outside surface of the cartridge, has at least three leg portions (6). The leg portions are formed of porous material. A projection portion is provided to the outer wall portion of the cartridge, and an engagement portion is provided to the inner face of the pressure container.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Orientation: The carbon nano tube orients along a specific direction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Arrangement: At least a portion of outer surfaces of the multi-element stack is in intimate contact with the inner surface of the container and/or gap between the outer surface of the stack and the inner surface of the container is sealed. The electrolyte, cathode and anode layers are porous and the mixed gas passes from the gas inlet to outlet through the pores in the layers. Alternately, the cathode and the anode layers are porous, and the electrolyte layer is solid having holes (24,24') and the mixed gas passes from inlet to outlet through the pores in anode and cathode layers and hole in the electrolyte layer. The cathode layers have shaped passages (22,22') and the anode layers have shaped passages (26,26'). The passages have a size larger than the diameter of the pores in the cathode and anode layer. The porous layers have a porosity of at least 20%, preferably 30-70%.Preferred Materials: The electrolyte layer is formed of a zirconia which is partially stabilized by an element of group III of periodic table, or a cerium oxide which is doped with lanthanide. The cathode layer is formed of a manganite, gallate or cobaltite compound of lanthanum to which an element of group III of the periodic table is added. The anode layer is formed of the component supporting nickel cermet or platinum to which the electrolyte which forms the electrolyte layer is added. The oxygen-containing gas is oxygen or air. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The mixed gas is hydrogen, methane, ethane, propane and/or butane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Nitrogen halide comprises NF3,N2F4, NH2Cl, NHCl2, NCl3. The substrate consist of GaAs, Ge, InP, InN, and GaP. The epilayer consists of GaN, GaAsN, GaInAsN, GaAsNSb, GaPN, GaAsPN and InN.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The intercalant comprises a material, which can be halogens, mixed halogens, halides, oxidizing acids, alkali metals and/or transition metals. Preferred Compositions: The material comprises at least1 (preferably 3-20)% graphite intercalation compounds. Preferred Parameters: The material is 0.075-1.4 mm. The electrical conductivity is 1 to 7.6x107 /Qm or at most8 mu-ohm-meter. The thermal conductivity is 5-2000 W/mdegreesK. The sheet contains at least5% resin. The final sheet has a density of 0.1-1.5 g/cm3. EXAMPLE - A low-density flexible graphite mat was subjected to bromine vapors at room temperature in chamber for 24 hours. The vapors were generated in the chamber for a pool of liquid bromine placed at the bottom of the chamber. After removal and equilibration in air for 24 hours, the weight pick-up of the bromine intercalated mat was 4%. The low-density mat was rolled into a foil with thickness of 0.58 mm and density of 1.1 g/cc. The electrical resistivity of the bromine treated foil was only 4.9 mu-ohm-meter compared to 8.4 mu-ohm-meter for the control. The electrical resistivity was reduced 42% for the bromine-intercalated foil. This foil could be embossed into an article that can be used in a fuel cell device or other application where low resistivity or high conductivity is important.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: Water added to the reformed gas sets the desired oxygen/carbon ratio for the shift converter. The water feed unit has a controller for controlling the feeding of water to the conduit unit(s). The controller senses the temperature of the reformed gas and the gas stream, and feeds water to the conduit unit(s) in response to the sensed temperature. The fuel cell system also has a unit for collecting water from the fuel cell and recycling at least a portion of the collected water as water source. The fuel cell system is provided with selective oxidizer(s) (24, 26) between the shift converter and the fuel cell. The controller has at least one solenoid valve (46) which opens and closes in response to the sensed temperature. The water feed unit has a water atomizer. Water is fed to both the conduit units.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The conduit unit(s) have a packing of high surface area material chosen from ceramic pellets, steel wool, reticulated ceramic foam, metal foam and honeycomb monoliths.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The average size of the fine particles is at most 1 micron.Preferred Materials: The carbon carrier is activated carbon, carbon black, nanotube, and/or fullerene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The acidic aqueous solution is selected from a group which contains hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, basic acid, carbonic acid and an organic acid. The basic aqueous solution is selected from a group which contains metal hydroxide of ammonia, pyridine and periodic table 1A group, 2A group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The cleaning liquid is an organic solvent, which is selected from a group containing nitrile, alcohol, carbonate and halogenated hydrocarbons.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Diamine Component: The diamine component comprises 4,4'-diamino diphenylether and a para phenylene diamine of molar ratio 70:30-82:18. Preferred Acid Dianhydride Component: The component includes pyromellitic dianhydride and a biphenyl tertracarboxylic-acid of molar ratio 100:0-65:35.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The catalyst comprises 80 weight percent (wt.%) or more of gamma-alumina and 2-20 wt.% of copper. The catalyst further comprises 2-20 wt.% of zinc and copper in the ratio of 1/1-1/9, or palladium and copper in the ratio of 1/1-1/9.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Preset portion of the pipe network is replenished with hydrogen gas and hydrocarbon group gas supply.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The first consumer is equipped with hydrogen gas storage unit for storing isolated hydrogen gas, and the second consumer is equipped with isolated blasting fumes storage unit for storing isolated blasting fumes. The hydrogen gas separating device comprises a hydrogen separation membrane and a gas meter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The shift catalyst selected from noble metal or its compound, is arranged at a hydrogen-rich gas supply surface (102) of the inner wall of the pore and not arranged at the hydrogen-rich gas release surface (104) of the inner wall of the pore. The temperature of the shift catalyst arranged at the positions except at the inner wall of the pores, is made into reference temperature of 250 degreesC. The temperature of the shift catalyst arranged at the inner wall of the pore is higher than the reference temperature. The porous component has a porous layer (I) and a porous layer (II).Preferred Properties: The pore of the porous layer (II) has a diameter larger than the pore of porous layer (I) and the porous layer (I) has a thickness lower than the thickness of the porous layer (II). The porous component is formed in a shape of honey comb or flatly. The diameter of the pore is less than the mean free pass of gas molecule of carbon dioxide and water vapor, preferably less than 0.1 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The metal-containing species comprises a gold-containing species phase, a silver-containing species phase, a rhenium-containing species phase, a platinum-containing species phase, a ruthenium-containing species phase, a rhodium-containing species phase, a palladium-containing species phase, a osmium-containing species phase, and/or an iridium-containing species phase, preferably at least two different precious metal-containing species phases. The precious metal-containing species phase exists primarily at the surface of the aggregate, is distributed throughout the aggregate, and/or is oxidized. The compound further comprises carbon black having an organic group attached, and a silicon-containing species phase.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The intercalant comprises a platinum group metal (0.001-1, preferably 0.01-0.3 mg/cm2) from platinum, rhodium, palladium, and/or iridium. Preferred Property: The material has a thickness of 0.075-1.4, preferably 1 and greater than 0.01 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The sheet contains resin at at least 5% in the graphite sheet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a second connected process units positioned within the container. The second connected process unit comprise an anode tail gas oxidation catalyst bed, and a pre-heat exchanger positioned adjacent to the anode tail gas oxidation catalyst bed.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The desulfurization agent bed is a zinc oxide bed. The oxygen-containing gas is air. The hydrogen rich gas contains less than 50, preferably less than 10 ppm CO2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The cylinder is oriented vertically with the manifold end of the cylinder being on top. The first reaction zone contains autothermal reforming catalyst, a second reaction zone contains desulfurization catalyst, a third reaction zone contains water gas shift catalyst, and a fourth reaction zone contains preferential oxidation catalyst. The fuel processor further comprises an air injection mechanism for injecting air into the zone of ceramic beads. It also comprises a second cylinder having an anode tail gas (T) oxidation catalyst bed (216) for oxidizing the anode tail gas from fuel cell to produce an exhaust gas. The air injection mechanism is connected to the manifold. The reaction zone containing catalyst(s) is separated from an adjacent reaction zone by a permeable plate. The second cylinder further comprises a pre-heat exchanger (214) for heating. The pre-heat exchanger is positioned within the anode tail gas oxidation catalyst bed.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Components: The zone of ceramic beads is positioned between the third and fourth reactions. Preferred Material: The permeable plate is porous ceramic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The permeable plate is perforated metal, metal screen, metal mesh or sintered metal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The permeable plate is made of inconel, carbon steel, stainless steel, hastelloy, or other material for the temperature, pressure and composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred polymer : The impurities contained in the tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) comprise 1 ppm or less of unsaturated and/or 50 ppm or less ( preferably 30 ppm or less, best 10 ppm or less ) of saturated compounds. The TFE most preferably contains impurities comprising 1 ppm or less of unsaturated compounds and 0.8 ppm or less of unsaturated compounds. The saturated compound is represented by general formula, CnHmFjClk, which is at least one compound selected from CH2F2, CHF3, C2H3F3, CF2Cl2 and CHF2Cl.. The unsaturated compound has double and/or triple bonds, and is CF2=CFH, CF2=CFCl, CF2=CH2, CF2=CHCl, CF2-CCl2, CFH=CH2, CFH=CHCl, CFH=CCl2, CFCl=CH2, CFCl=CHCl or CFCl=CCl2. In most cases the impurities comprise CH2F2 and CF2=CFH. EXAMPLE - TFE containing 7.8 ppm of CH2CHF and 0.6 ppm of CF2=CFH was polymerized in the presence of perfluorooctanate ammonium, water, paraffin wax and disuccinic acid peroxide. The obtained PTFE powder had excellent stretchability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The modules comprises a plate reformer module, a water-gas-shift reactor, a heat exchanger, a selective oxidation reactor, a steam generator and a fuel/air pre-heater. They are arranged in two separate stacks. Each module has a plate reactor configuration. The backbone member is formed to connect the separate stacks in a side-by-side configuration such that their side facing is close to one another.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support: The support is silica, alumina, silica-alumina, zeolite, titania, zirconia, magnesia, zinc oxide, clay, diatomaceous earth and/or activated carbon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel Oil: The organosulfur compound-containing fuel oil contains at least one of natural gas, alcohol, ether, liquid petroleum gas, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, light oil, fuel oil, asphaltene oil, coal liquid, petroleum heavy oil, shale oil, synthetic liquid fuel (GTL), waste-plastic oil, and bio-fuel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The binder is acrylic resin group or polyvinyl alcohol group binder.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metallic oxide powder is chosen from oxides of indium, tin, zinc, aluminum, gallium, cerium, germanium and silicon, and their complex oxides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The silicide includes metal selected from the group of nickel, titanium, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A desulfurizing apparatus (2) desulfurizes gasoline supplied to the hydrogen generation equipment. A gas pressure adjustment pressure-reduction valve (74) decompresses hydrogen in the hydrogen cylinders (6) to preset pressure. The pressure of hydrogen is increased to a comparatively high value and stored in the cylinder (6). A hydrogen temperature control unit controls the temperature of hydrogen supplied to the motor vehicle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The carbon monoxide removal apparatus has an oxidizing feed zone which supplies an oxidizing agent in the upstream side of the catalyst portion. The water feed zone equipped with the oxidation catalyst shows an activity at low temperature. A water supply controller controls the supply of water through the water supply apparatus. Oxidation catalyst rich portion is formed in the upstream portion of the oxidation catalyst. Based on the temperature of the carbon monoxide reduction catalyst, the supply of water is controlled. The water supply apparatus sprays the water in the gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A polyester layer made from thin fibers is built into the rear side of the intermediate chambers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The reactive dissolution of vanadium trioxide and vanadium pentoxide is conducted in the presence of sulfuric acid at above 30 degreesC, preferably above 90 degreesC for 10 minutes-10 hours, preferably 0.5-3 hours. The vanadium trioxide and vanadium pentoxide powders are reacted in stoichiometric amounts to allow complete reaction. The production of vanadium electrolyte involves reconstituting the mixture of trivalent and tetravalent ions with an acid and/or water to provide the vanadium electrolyte. The vanadium ion produced is stabilized by adding stabilizing agent before, during or after reactive dissolution.Preferred Composition: The ratio of the mixture of trivalent and tetravalent vanadium ions in the vanadium electrolyte is 50:50. The total concentration of vanadium in the produced vanadium electrolyte is 0.5-12 Molar (M), preferably 1.5-6M or 1.5-3M.Preferred Properties: The vanadium trioxide and vanadium pentoxide powders have surface area of at least 0.1 m2/g, preferably greater than 1 m2/g and size of at most 50 microns, preferably less than 15 microns.Preferred Agent: The stabilizing agent is ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate and/or phosphoric acid. EXAMPLE - 0.225 moles/l of vanadium pentoxide was reacted with 0.675 moles/l of vanadium trioxide in 4-6 M sulfuric acid at room temperature within a reactor. The reactor temperature was slowly raised to above 40 degreesC, dissolution rate was increased and the powders began to react. The reaction was continued for 15 minutes to 1 hour at above 80 degreesC. A 1.8 M vanadium solution which can be directly used in vanadium redox batteries without further reconstitution or reduction was obtained. The electrolyte was added with 1-3 weight% of phosphoric acid either during or after powder dissolution to stabilize the solution against precipitation during operation of vanadium redox cell at above 40 degreesC or below 10 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The V alloy further comprises 0.01-1 wt.% silicon and/or boron. It may also comprise 0.01-5 wt.% of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, gold, copper, chromium, or tungsten. It comprises 0.01-5 wt.% of indium, tin, or bismuth. Preferred Property: The foil having an amorphous crystal structure is produced.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Condition: The roll is rotated such that the roll surface is moved at 450-20000 m/min.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The transition metal(s) is iron, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, ruthenium, chromium, palladium, rhodium or iridium. The support is zeolite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The half-metallocene is dicyclopentadienyl titanium chloride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metal: The metal particles are selected from chromium, iron, nickel, cobalt, titanium, vanadium, copper and manganese.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Extraction of carbon dioxide gas occluded on the electrode (12b) makes the electrodes conduct power supply.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The water-repelling component contains silicon or silicon-containing material, fluorinated polymers or materials containing fluorinated polymers, epoxy resin or materials containing epoxy resin, phenol resin or materials containing phenol resin, acrylic resin or materials containing acrylic resin, PUR adhesive materials or materials containing PUR materials or artificial resin/shellac mixture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is made from Pt, Ru, Ir, Rh, Pd, Mo or their alloys. The oxidation-resistant material is made from tungsten oxide, zirconium oxide, niobium oxide or tantalum oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The non-electrolytic material is a fluorine-containing resin, especially a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polymerization is by electrolytic oxidation polymerization, catalytic polymerization and/or energy-beam irradiation polymerization. The polymerization of the final stage is electrolytic oxidation polymerization. The conductivity of the thin film is at least 1S/cm at 25 degrees C. The polymerized conjugated bond group is a polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyacetylene, polydiacetylene and/or polyacene group. The terminal bond group is a -SiO- and/or SiN- group. The orientation of the molecule is formed by at least 1 selected from a rubbing orientation process, a liquid cutting process from the reaction solution after covalent bonding the molecule to the base material surface, a polarized light irradiation process and orientation by shaking the molecules during polymerization. The conductive region of the thin film is transparent to light having a wavelength in the visible region. The molecule unit forming the conductive network is of formula (A) or (B)where X = H, ester group or unsaturated organic group;q = an integer 1-10;E = H or 1-3C alkyl group;n = an integer 2-25; andp = 1, 2 or 3.A protective film can be formed on the conductive region surface. The organic thin film also contains a dopant material. EXAMPLE - 11-(1-pyrrolyl)-1-undecene is formed by introducing pyrrole (38g) and dehydrated tetrahydrofuran (200ml) to a reactor under an argon flow, cooling to at most 5 degrees C, adding dropwise 1.6M n-butyl lithium hexane solution (354ml) at most 10 degrees C, stirring, adding dimethyl-sulfoxide, distilling off THF, adding 11-bromo-1-undecene (145.2g) dropwise, stirring, and working up to give 113.2g of the product. The 11-(1-pyrrolyl)-1-undecene is reacted with trichlorosilane to give 11-(1-pyrrolyl)-undecenyl trichlorosilane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Materials: The filter element has a chemical filter portion with an adsorbent material for removing chemical contaminants from the dirty air. The adsorbent material is selected from the group comprising activated carbon, impregnated carbon, activated carbon fibers, ion-exchange resin, ion-exchange fibers, alumina, activated alumina, molecular sieves, and silica. The adsorbent material removes acidic contaminant such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride, and volatile and non-volatile acids and basic contaminant such as ammonia, amines, amides, sodium hydroxides, lithium hydroxides, potassium hydroxides volatile and non-volatile organic bases. The particulate filter portion which is positioned radially adjacent to the sound suppression element, is configured to provide straight through flow.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The method includes forming front and rear contacts (50, 80) on the front and rear insulating layers, respectively, to accommodate the front and rear contacts being formed on a heavily doped emitter region and a back surface field region, respectively. The step of forming the front and rear contact patterns includes forming phosphosilicate glass and borosilicate glass layers at both sides of the cell when both phosphorus and boron are diffused into the cell at high temperature; and wet-etching phosphosilicate and borosilicate layers. The front and rear contacts are formed simultaneously. They are formed by an electroless plating and/or an electroplating. The front and rear insulating layers are formed through a thermal-oxidation process. The printing step is a screen printing or a photogravure printing. The step of forming the shallow emitter layer includes forming an n-type layer by diffusing n-type impurities comprising a phosphorus doping source. The substrate is wet-etched to have a pyramidal shaped surface.Preferred Properties: The front and rear insulating layers have a thickness of approximately 250- approximately 750 Angstrom . The phosphosilicate glass has the same width as the heavy emitter layers. The borosilicate glass has the same width as the back surface field layers. The phosphosilicate glass and borosilicate glass layers have a higher etching rate (preferably 2-3 times) than the insulating layers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The phosphorus doping source is phosphorus (V) oxychloride (POCl3) or phosphorus (V) oxide (P2O5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The vessel is a pressure swing adsorber (3).The pressure swing adsorber comprises multiple staged fixed beds.The vessel comprises a layer of desiccant material in the upstream of CO adsorbent.The apparatus further comprises a second reactor which is a water gas shift reactor (2) disposed between the first reaction and the vessel.The water gas shift reactor includes a second adsorbent adapted to adsorb CO.The water gas shift reactor is a high temperature water gas shift reactor.The second adsorbent is adapted to desorb CO at high temperatures.The system further comprises an expander downstream of the vessel. It further comprises a fuel cell stack (4) having an anode exhaust (22).The fuel cell stack is disposed between the vessel and the expander.The expander expands the anode exhaust.The expanded anode exhaust provides the purge gas to be feed back into the vessel.A preferential oxidizer (PROX) is eliminated from the hydrogen fuel cell system.The vessel is pressurized before the passing of the hydrogen-rich gas stream through the vessel. It is depressurized after the passing of the hydrogen-rich gas stream through the vessel.It is purged with a gas having a low CO concentration.The hydrogen-rich gas stream is not passed through PROX.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The adsorbent can be 5A zeolite and/or 13X zeolite. It can also be oxides or salts of copper impregnated or exchanged on activated carbon, alumina, and zeolites; oxides or salts of silver impregnated or exchanged on activated carbon, alumina, and zeolites and/or oxides or salts of tin impregnated or exchanged on activated carbon, alumina, and zeolites.Upstream of the carbon monoxide adsorbent, the vessel comprises a layer of a desiccant material.Preferred Material: The desiccant material can be zeolite molecular sieves, activated alumina and/or silica gels.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The oxygen containing plasma etchable layer is formed from organic polymer spin-on-polymer materials, amorphous carbon materials, or graphite carbon materials.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The oxygen containing etchant gas is oxygen, ozone, nitrous oxide, or nitric oxide.Preferred Composition: The second etchant gas composition comprises an oxygen containing etchant gas, boron trichloride, and a chlorine containing etchant gas other than boron trichloride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The damascene process is a dual damascene process.Preferred Component: The patterned conductor layer is a contiguous patterned conductor interconnect layer and patterned conductor stud layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The non-porous semiconductor film consists of any one oxide chosen from oxides of titanium, lanthanum, zirconium, niobium, tungsten, strontium, zinc, tin, indium, iron, silicon, aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: One of the hydrogen formation units is a fuel reformation unit which produces hydrogen from gasoline, alcohol fuel and/or liquefied natural gas (LNG). The reformation unit is a microorganism-type fuel reformation unit which forms hydrogen from a fuel, using microorganisms. An optical water-splitting unit containing a photocatalyst decomposes water by solar irradiation of light. An electric water-splitting unit performs electrolysis of water to form hydrogen. The hydrogen supply stand has a wind-power unit (8) to supply the electric power for the electric water-splitting unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The setup time of the reformer is variably set after the temperature of the modifier reaches a preset value. The temperature of the modifier is estimated from the water temperature of a fuel-cell system and elapsed time after starting the reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The alkaline earth metal is magnesium. The another metal is silicon. The reducible gas is at least one kind chosen from hydrogen gas and low-molecular-weight hydrocarbon gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substrate: The substrate material is selected from group consisting of amorphous silicon, crystalline silicon or cadmium sulfide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: A germanium-tin solar cell having a light receiving end may be coupled to the n-type layer of the germanium solar cell. A surface of the n-type germanium layer is passivated by an n-type silicon layer (714).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The zirconia insulation layer is rigidified and serves as a gas seal for edges of the catalyst bed. The zirconia insulation material is non-acidic oxygen donor which inhibits carbon deposition in the catalyst well.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: When the temperature of the hydrogen occlusion alloy is greater than a predetermined temperature, the hydrogen filling unit lowers the filling pressure of hydrogen. The hydrogen filling unit controls the filling pressure of hydrogen filled to the hydrogen occlusion tank, based on the signal from the degradation unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Plate: The protrusions comprise sealing features (7,8,9). The plate may includes protrusions or indentations that engage complementary features on an adjacent plate. The plate comprises at least one electrically conductive insert in a non-conductive frame, in which fluid manifolds are formed. The flow field (6) is branched.Preferred Stack: The plates are welded by ultrasonic welding. At least one membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched between the panels. The engaging features may be on the membrane electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The plate is made of material that may be welded, preferably an electrically conductive polymer comprising a polymer matrix, a conductive filler and carbon nanofibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: An opaque PUR may be used as a separate rear face of the panel or alternatively another plastic such as polycarbonate is used.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The opaque PUR contains either chalk, glass platelets and/or silicates.The rear side of the panel may alternatively be made from either glass or ceramic. EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT of the solar panel, the solar cells (3) are completely embedded in the PUR (1). In other cases the rear side is a separate item. The front side has a textured surface and the rear side may be shaped to form cooling ribs. Methods of manufacture involve: a) fixing solar cells to the rear side of the panel and then applying the transparent PUR front side or b) thermoforming a plastic or composite plastic sheet together with the solar cells to form a rear side before injecting or casting on the front side PUR.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The borohydride compound is alternately produced by converting the bicarbonate (YHCO3) to its carbonate (Y2CO3), carbon dioxide and water, reacting the boric oxide (B2O3) with elemental carbon and halogen containing compound to obtain boron halide (BX3) and carbon monoxide, reacting BX3 with hydrogen to obtain diborane hydrogen halide and reacting the carbonate (Y2CO3) with diborane to obtain borohydride (YBH4), (YBO2) and carbon dioxide.The boron halide (BX3) is hydrogenated with an aldehyde selected from formaldehyde, benzaldehyde and/or acetaldehyde, or reacted with silicon hydride to obtain diborane and silicon halide (SiX4).The metaborate (YBO2), carbon dioxide and water are recycled for further use. Preferred Definitions:    Y = alkali metals, preferably sodium, lithium and potassium, pseudo-alkali metals, ammonium ion and/or quaternary amine (NR4+);    R = hydrogen and/or 1-4C alkyl.    EXAMPLE - Sodium borate was reacted with carbon dioxide and water to produce sodium bicarbonate and boric oxide. The sodium bicarbonate was converted into sodium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water. The produced boric oxide was reacted with carbon and hydrogen bromide to produce boron tribromide and carbon monoxide. The boron tribromide was reacted with hydrogen to produce diborane and hydrogen bromide. The produced sodium carbonate was reacted with the formed diborane to obtain sodium borohydride and sodium metaborate (NaBO2). The sodium borohydride was reacted with water to produce hydrogen gas. The actual cost of producing borohydrate was ascertained by adding 6697 BTU from the above process, 1004 BTU (resulting from 15% plant inefficiency), and 8935 BTU (energy equivalent of carbon). Thus the overall energy needed for the above process required 16636 BTU, and the overall efficiency of the process was 65 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The gas permeable microporous catalytic electrode comprises coplanar and parallel strips of a porous catalytic metallic material. The strips are formed above a respective trench cut in the silicon substrate and electrically connected to an adjacent strip or to adjacent strips and to the conducting silicon substrate by nonporous metal strips formed alternately between the microporous catalytic metal strips and in electrical contact with the monocrystalline silicon substrate along separation crests of adjacent parallel trenches. The half-cell is integrated in a dedicated area on the surface of the chip containing the integrated circuit of the device constituting an electric load powered by the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The nonporous metal strips (5, 6) are gold, platinum, iridium, rhodium, and alloys of the metal(s). The porous catalytic metallic material strips are platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, and alloys of the metal(s). They are of platinum supported by a porous heterogeneous columnar skeleton of silicon doped p+ or n+ formed in the trenches by electrochemical erosion of the substrate of doped silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The transparent conductive layer is made of zinc oxide and the i-layer constituting the photoelectric conversion layer includes silicon or silicon alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Properties: The catalyst composition obviates the requirement for pre-reduction, shutdown purge or an inert atmosphere, in association with the operation of a shift converter. EXAMPLE - MEI 01023 (mixed ceria/zirconia pellet support) was dried for 2 hours at 100 degrees C. Platinum(II) complex Pt(NH3)2(NO2)2 was dissolved in concentrated nitric acid (10.248 ml) and stirred. Once the platinum dissolved, the platinum acid solution was added to deionized water. The resulting solution was poured over the dried pellets and stirred until the support was uniformly coated. The mixture was dried for 1 hour at 100 degrees C and then calcined at 400 degrees C, to obtain a catalyst composition. The formulation used pellets of ceria and zirconia, and was coated with platinum. The catalyst provided an increased reaction rate. The platinum provided the level of activity required to obtain the desired reaction rate in a reactor of reasonable volume.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Ceramic fiber particles are mixed with the intercalated particles prior to the exfoliation. They have a length of 0.15-1.5 mm, and are stable at up to 2000 degrees F. The intercalated particles are exfoliated by exposing them to an open fire (300) at 700-1000 degrees C. Further, a surface of the flexible sheet is mechanically deformed to provide a series of repeating patterns. Such repeating patterns may also be provided by removing material from the flexible sheet. Solvent is partially vaporized from the liquid resin prior to the deformation of the surface of the flexible sheet. The exfoliated particles are continuously compressed with a converging press, preferably with belts (457, 458) converging from 25 inches to 0.15 inch and in a space of 8-12 feet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Product: The flexible sheet has a thickness of 0.003-1.0 inch and a density of 5-125 lbs/ft3. It comprises compressed exfoliated graphite particles in an omnidirectional orientation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The combustion catalyst layer contains alumina, alumina sol, and platinum. The platinum is present in an amount of 0.5-5 weight% (wt.%) in the combustion catalyst layer such that the combustion catalyst layer has higher concentration of platinum in the upstream side (13) than the downstream side (15) along flow direction of combustion fuel. The combustion catalyst layer present in vicinity of inlet of combustion portion, contains 0.5-2 wt.% of platinum and the combustion catalyst layer present in the vicinity of the outlet of the combustion portion, contains 3-5 wt.% of platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains sulfur as pure sulfur (0.01-2), adhered to the carrier. Preferred Noble Metal: The noble metal is platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The cylinder which supplies the field fuel is a butane cassette cylinder. Air introduced to carry out the temperature control of the reformer, is heated through the outer wall of the reformer. The cylinder turns a supply port up. While carrying out the parallel establishment of two or more cylinders in the chamber, guide plate (I) leads the introduced hot air to each cylinder, and guide plate (II) passes the hot air along the peripheral edge of the cylinder to the peripheral portion of each cylinder. The guide plates are arranged in a higher order than the upper end of the hot air inlet which the upper end formed in the side wall of the chamber. The lower end is arranged more nearly in a low-order than the lower end of the hot air inlet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains rhodium, nickel, cerium oxide and platinum in weight ratio of 0.05-0.5:3-10:2-8:0.3-5, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrocarbon: The normal temperature hydrocarbon liquid is n-hexane or gasoline.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The driving condition of the hydrogen production system is warming-up condition of the system. The control portion performs control, based on hydrogen requirement. The chemical-reaction portion has sub-chemical-reaction portions for performing shift reaction of carbon monoxide and water to form hydrogen. The adjustment mechanism switches the number of operation of the sub-chemical-reaction portions. The control portion increases the number of operations with the increase in the hydrogen required and controls amount of raw material supplied to the sub-chemical-reaction portion, based on the hydrogen required, and maintains the relationship between the hydrogen required and the number of operation. The sub-chemical-reaction portions are crossed orthogonally in the form of polygon in the direction of flow of gas, and are at the edge of the polygon. The hydrogen production system further has a multi-stage unit for performing different chemical reaction, a reformation portion (100) for performing steam-reforming or oxidation reaction of the raw material, and a reformed-gas process portion for processing the reformed gas produced in the reformation portion. The hydrogen production system further has a reaction portion shared between sub-chemical-reaction portions, a shift-reaction portion (115,117) for performing shift reaction, and an oxidation-reaction portion (118) for performing oxidation of carbon monoxide contained in the gas formed in the shared reaction portion. The hydrogen production system has a heat insulation layer for suppressing transfer of heat between the sub-chemical-reaction portions having voids, and heat feed zone for supplying heat for heating the sub-chemical-reaction portions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The mixed heating unit mixes the raw material and water in the same container, and heats the mixture to obtain a heated mixed air. The mixed heating unit is a flow path for obtaining the mixture supplied to the raw material supplying unit and the water feed zone. A heating unit heats the mixture and obtain heated mixed air. The mixed heating unit has an inner cylinder portion and an outer cylinder portion, such that the periphery of the inner cylinder portion is covered. A heating unit heats at least the inner cylinder. The mixture is stored temporarily in the hollow portion between the inner and outer cylinder portions. The mixed heating unit is a spiral flow path through which the mixture passes. A heating unit heats the spiral flow path. A spiral projection is on the wall surface which faces at least one hollow circle of the inner and outer cylinder portions. The spiral projection is a portion of the inner and outer cylinder portions. The spiral projection is also on the wall surface which faces the outer side of the hollow portion.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The compound to be dehydrogenated is cyclohexane or isopropanol, and is respectively dehydrogenated to benzene or acetone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The solution is deposited on the substrate and baked after laminating a film which is repeatedly dried up to suitable thickness. The deposited solution is baked at 700-900degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The pressure inside the chamber is less than the fluids evaporation pressure at the temperature fluid flowing inside the chamber, where liquid is changing phase from liquid to vapor when it enters the chamber and elevates driven by the deference of pressure between the higher pressure applied on the liquid and the lower pressure inside the chamber were vapor flows. The device for extracting liquid from the condenser contains tube with predetermined height where upper end of the tube is connected to he condensers drain area and its lower part is immersed inside a container filled with said liquid where the liquid is sustained at a predetermined height inside the tube due to the pressure deference acting on the liquids surface in the upper part of the tube and the grater pressure acting on the surface of the liquid inside the container.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Aluminum is diffused in the polycrystalline silicon substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ultraviolet Absorber: The UV absorber is a benzophenone, benzotriazole, salicylate, acrylonitrile, metallic complex or ultrafine titanium dioxide or zinc oxide system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent is tetrahydrofuran, toluene, chloroform, chlorobenzene, xylene, dichloromethane, mesitylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 2-chloronaphthalene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene and/or 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The substrate is flexible or rigid, transparent or opaque, reflective, and planar in shape. The electrode comprises a metallic or non metallic conductor. The light harvesting rods are oriented perpendicular to electrode (A1) and are intrinsic rectifiers of excited state energy and holes, and have a length of 500 nm or less. The electrolyte is aqueous, non-aqueous or polymer electrolyte comprising mobile charge carrier and solid. The solar cell is devoid of liquid in the space between the electrodes. Preferred Definitions:    at least one of X1-Xm+1 = chlorins, bacteriochlorins or isobacteriochlorins and comprises porphyrinic macromolecules, where at least one of X2-Xm+1 comprises trans meso-linked porphyrinic macromolecules and trans-beta-linked porphyrinic macromolecules;    m in formula (I) = 2-49;    Ar, Ar1, Ar2 = benzene, thiophene, furan, pyrrole, pyridine, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthracene, biphenyl, indene, quinoline, pyridazine, pyrimidine, fluorine or pyrazine;    Y2,Y5 = H or alkyl;    Y3,Y4 = H, halo, ethynyl, dialkyl boronate or trialkyl tin; and    Y6 = alkyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The protective coating on the concentrator, is made of aluminum or chromium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The nonconductor and/or semiconductor member is a formed of a semiconductor having the same composition with the semiconductor film included in the photoelectric conversion layer provided on a back surface side of the intermediate film and provided within the conversion layer closed to a light incident side. It can be a composite member of a site that is formed of a material having the same composition with a portion of the conversion layer. The semiconductor film is a crystalline silicon based semiconductor film or a non-crystalline silicon based semiconductor film. The conversion layers formed of the stacked semiconductor films are a p-i-n type three-layer structure of a-silicon:hydrogen and/or a p-i-n type three-layer structure of muc-silicon:hydrogen. The intermediate conductive film is formed of transparent conductive film employing a material including zinc oxide, tin oxide, or indium tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The base film consists of fluorine-resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin film, polycarbonate group resin film, polyacrylic group resin film, polyamide group resin film or polyester group resin film. The polypropylene resin film consists of a film of the homopolymer of propylene or the copolymer of propylene, and another monomer. The heat sealing-resin consists of a polyolefin type resin layer or an ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Products: The photoelectric converter consists of a conductive support, a semiconductor layer sensitized by a pigment and formed on the conductive support, a charge-transfer layer, and counter electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Configuration: The mask structure aperture has a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the well. At least one of the apertures is configured to correspond to wells in microplates having well formats of 96, 384, 1536, 3456 and 9600. The stage is configured to support the sample at the examination site in one of the microplate wells. The end of the optical relay structure is spaced a distance G from the upper plane, where G is just enough so that another well can be moved smoothly into alignment with the end of the optical relay structure.Preferred Device: The optical relay structure includes at least one fiber optic cable. The detector is a photomultiplier tube, a photodiode, or a charge-coupled device. The device further comprises a drive mechanism to adjust the distance between the end of the relay structure and the examination site, a sensor that detects proximity of the end of the optical relay structure relative to the well, a second optical relay structure having an end directed toward the examination site for transmitting luminescence from the site to a second detector, and a baffle surrounding the end of the relay structure that blocks extraneous light from outside the well from entering the optical relay structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Energy Converter The energy conversion arrangement includes titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, an electrolyte and optional coloring, e.g. terra-cotta.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Series Arrangement The energy conversion arrangement includes a lateral sequence of pn junctions.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Geometry The cells are stacked with air cooling gaps and/or liquid cooling. A lamellar arrangement is used. An optionally-stacked strip-like assembly, forms shapes of any selected geometry.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Energy Converter The material includes titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, an electrolyte and optional coloring.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Electrolyte Fiber The electrolyte fiber( 2) comprises a counter-electrolyte with redox system as mediator.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Textile Photocell Structure The lateral textile photocell has a transparent flexible protective layer on each side. The lateral solar cell arrangement is applied transversely or along the textile fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The photovoltaic cell further comprises a first passivation/confinement cladding layer interposed between the substrate and the first sub-cell and a second passivation/confinement cladding layer positioned on the first sub-cell. The photovoltaic cell is a solar photovoltaic cell or a thermophotovoltaic cell. There is a third passivation/confinement cladding layer interposed between the first interconnection layer and the second sub-cell, and a fourth passivation/confinement cladding layer positioned on the second sub-cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The perovskite oxide is strontium titanate or barium titanate. The first sub-cell is fabricated from semiconductor material consisting of gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP), GaAsxP1-x, GaxIn1-xP, GaxIn1-xAs, GaAsxSb1-x, AlxIn1-xGa1-xAs, AlxGayIn1-x-yP, GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y, AlxGa1-xAsySb1-y, AlxGayIn1-x-yAs, or GexSi1-x, preferably GaAs or InP.x, y = 0-1;andx+y = 0-1.The first sub-cell is fabricated from GaAs or GaxIn1-xAs and the second sub-cell is fabricated from GaxIn1-xP or GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The fluoropolymer of the outer layer has a melting point above 200degreesC, preferably 250degreesC and especially 280degreesC. A low melting fluoropolymer is also included to form a thermoplastic intermediate layer in direct contact with the solar cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The material comprises quartz, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, beryllium oxide, alumina, zinc oxide or boron nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - The continuous wind shield installation includes photovoltaic cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Both roadside verges are provided with a discontinuous wind shield installation comprising a row of windshields (7) oriented at an acute angle relative to the road direction. At least part of the continuous wind shield installation is air-permeable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The base material is made of alloy containing nickel, iron and cobalt. The surface layer is made of aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layer: The foam sealant has film layer of water activation property formed using water-soluble polymer having weight average molecular weight of 50000-200000.
EXAMPLE - A semiconductor electrode was produced using titanium oxide (in g) (3), acetyl acetone (0.2), surfactant (0.3) and water (6.5). The semiconductor electrode was immersed to a solution of merocyanine pigment (0.05) of compound (A-02) dissolved in ethanol (100 ml). An electrolyte liquid was prepared by dissolving iodine (0.03 M) and tetra-n-propyl ammonium iodide (0.5 M) in a liquid mixture containing propylene carbonate and acetonitrile. The electrolyte liquid was dipped between both electrodes and an optoelectric transducer was produced. The obtained optoelectric transducer had favorable release voltage of 0.6V, short-circuit-current density of 4.6 mA/cm2 and transformation efficiency of 2.9%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The method involves using tools for production of balls that can be remodeled into tools for fabrication of module ball, so that the spherical tool chamber is provided with arbor for module bed formation. The arbor is produced in the contact area with spherical chamber. It continuously spread and accommodates to radius having approximately 50% of arbor diameter. It has a depth and diameter that correspond to size of the bed, thus fulfilling the requirements of high quality sealing and taking over of mechanical stresses on contact surfaces between the bed and module. A base material surrounds the arbor and the pipe so that the arbor builds homogeneous bed integrated into the wall. The module is simply stamped into the bed.Preferred Method: The method also involves forming an elastic clamping joint after installation of module into the bed to ensure sealing and preventing movement of the module in the bed, its falling out of the bed during static and dynamic stresses.Preferred Property: The diameter ratio of the module and arbor is 1:5 (sic). The module
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The anode structure has two sides. It is disposed in and more electronegative than the electron donating layer. The electron donating layer is on one side, including an additional electron donating on the other side of the anode structure.The anode structure comprises titanium dioxide (TiO2); TiO2 and conductive particles; an N-type semiconductor material; the N-type semiconductor material and conductive particles; a block copolymer; or a first polymer.The conductive particles comprise silver or gold. One block of the copolymer comprises an electron acceptor domain. One block of the copolymer comprises an electron donating domain. The domains are incompatible to form phase boundaries between the domain of the electron donating domain. The relative amounts of the acceptor and donating domains are controlled such that the acceptor domain becomes a dispersed domain in a continuous domain of the electron donating domain. The electron donating layer comprises a second polymer; or a conjugated conductive polymer. The first polymer is incompatible in the second polymer to form phase boundaries between the domains. The electron donating layer is a photovoltaic active layer.The cell further includes a top coating for the electron donating layer. The cathode layer comprises a metallic layer. The collection region comprises gold, silver, copper or carbon. The secondary collection region comprises rod structure(s).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The electron donating layer is polythiophene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyarylene, and/or polyphenylenevinylene. The photovoltaic active layer comprises a polymer material including a dopant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Property: The channel has depth of 100-480 microns.Preferred Component: The channel is formed on a back surface opposite to the main surface, by press processing.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solar battery sealing film is formed from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The softening point of the novolak resin is measured by ring and ball method according to standard JIS K7234. The filler has a mean particle diameter of less than 2 micrometers.Preferred Material: The epoxy resin is chosen from bisphenol A and/or bisphenol F liquid epoxy resins and the filler is selected from alumina and/or silica. Hardening accelerator is an imidazole with a particle diameter of less than 6 micrometers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The insulation member comprises an organic polymer resin such as acrylic type, urethane type, polyimide type, vinyl chloride type, silicone type, fluorine type, polyethylene type, or polypropylene type.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin covered on the photo voltaic cell is selected from group comprising ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, ethylene-methylacrylate copolymer, ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer or polyvinyl butyral resin. The solar cell is fixed using a silicone adhesive with a low heat conductivity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Products: An electro-chemical element contains the nonaqueous gel-like composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The concentrating glass lenses are selected from the group consisting of tandem gallium indium phosphide/gallium indium arsenide cell and gallium arsenide cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The compound parabolic concentrator is coated with aluminum or chrome.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The protective cover is a chlorofluoral polymer comprising copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene. The substrate comprises polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The solar collector further comprises a circuit electrically coupling the PVCs to a voltage output from the solar collector.The circuit includes a number of voltage converters to match voltages from the at least2 different types of PVCs to a common output voltage.The PVCs consist of silicon based PVCs, aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) based PVCs or germanium (Ge) based PVCs.The PVCs comprise top passivation layer to filter damaging radiation.The enclosure further comprises end walls joining the top wall and bottom wall.The solar collector could also have three dimensional array that includes base layer (112) substrates and elevated tier(s) of substrate positioned above and separated from the base layer.The elevated tier(s) includes substrates having surfaces with the PVCs formed oriented to receive light reflected from the substrate of the base layer. The solar collector further comprises cooling mechanism from vents in the enclosure to enable movement of air, vents and fan to facilitate movement of air through the enclosure or heat exchanger thermally coupled to the substrates. The heat exchanger is adapted to provide heated water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The PVCs consist of silicon based PVCs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The digital communication is performed through IEEE1394 and universal serial bus 2.0.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The cover layer on the solar module consists of polyurethane, polyester or another transparent plastic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first conductor layer comprises molybdenum. The chalcopyrite semiconductor is copper (indium, gallium) selenide. The buffer layer comprises ZnIn2(Se1-x, Sx)4 (I) or ZnInxSeySz (II). The transparent conductor layer comprises a resistive layer of metal oxide and a superimposed conductive layer of doped metal oxide.x = less than about 0.6    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Dimension: The buffer layer has a thickness of 4-30 nm. Preferred Method: The vacuum deposition apparatus is maintained under vacuum between deposition of copper (indium, gallium) selenide layer and buffer layer. Deposition of buffer layer is performed after breaking of the vacuum. The deposition source material is prepared by alloying zinc and indium to form an alloy, and reacting the alloy with selenium; or by simultaneously reacting zinc, indium and selenium. ZnInxSeySz is deposited from a vapor phase by vacuum evaporation. Evaporation utilizes p grams ZnInxSeySz and q grams sulfur, (where q = np, and n = less than 4 (preferably 0.3-2)). ZnInxSeySz is deposited by sputtering from ZnIn target, and sulfur is supplied from a gaseous source (preferably hydrogen sulfide). Sulfur may be supplied by vapor deposition, or by dipping or spraying thiourea solution. The ZnInxSeySz source material is preheated at 250-600 degrees C for a predetermined time to drive off superficial selenium. The evaporation source materials are loaded as a single source and held at progressively higher temperature such that a portion of sulfur is evaporated prior to evaporation of ZnInxSey, or sulfur and ZnInxSey source materials are loaded as separate sources and heated such that a predominant portion of sulfur is evaporated prior to evaporation of ZnInxSey. The substrate is maintained at 100-350 degrees C during a portion of buffer layer deposition. The vapor flux is restricted to approximate at least one point source or a line source.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: The solar cells are sealed individually one by one or by a unit of solar cell group including several solar cells, in the weather-resistant sealing process. The solar cells are integrally sealed. The solar cells are attached to a surface facing the inner space of the sheet glass on sunlight receiving or sunlight non-receiving side of the double glazing glass. The solar cells are attached to one sheet glass of the double glazing glass with a fixing filler interposed. The sheet glass on the sunlight non-receiving side of the double glazing glass is a net-embedded glass (22). The spacer has a conductive portion to which power output from the solar cells is supplied. A power output portion capable of externally outputting power of the solar cells is connected to the conductive portion. A sealing component (3) is provided between the power output portion and each sheet glass. An air-tight and waterproof seal is provided around a peripheral portion of each sheet glass, between each sheet glass and the spacer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: A transparent filler (4) which is a transparent resin of ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl butyral, is used in the sealing process. A polyethylene terephthalate or fluorine-based resin film, is used as a weather-resistant and transparent film (5) in the sealing process. The fixing filler is a transparent adhesive tape or a transparent resin containing ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl butyral.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The insulator is a copper acid compound selected from compound consisting of A2CuO3, A2CuO4 and A2CuO2Cl2 where A is calcium, strontium, barium, lanthanum series atom. Alternatively the insulator transition metal halides such as nickel chloride, nickel bromide and nickel iodide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The first double-sided adhesive tape comprises silicone loaded with thermally conductive, electrically insulative material. The second adhesive tape comprises acrylic or silicone. The glass members are bonded using a transparent silicone adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The support assembly and the cover constitute a continuous, unitary member. The main member is a thermal insulator, and the cover comprises a low-emissivity layer. Adjacent PV assemblies are inter engaged so wind uplift forces on one of the assemblies tend to transfer to adjacent PV assemblies to help counteract the wind uplift forces.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal cover comprises a galvanized steel, zinc-alum or aluminum coated metal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The metal cover may comprise polyvinylidene fluoride resin-coated metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The base film includes a resin film chosen from a group consisting of fluorine-resin film, cyclic polyolefin resin film, polyacrylic resin film, polycarbonate resin film, polyamide resin film and polyester resin film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: An electrolyte solution comprising an electrolyte salt and a solvent is used in the electrolytic reduction of the fine semiconductor particles. The electrolytic reduction of the fine semiconductor particles is carried out before the dye is adsorbed on the particles. 10 nA to 10 mA of current is provided per 1 cm squared of the conductive support in the electrolytic reduction of the fine semiconductor particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The electrolyte salt comprises an alkali metal ion or an alkaline earth metal ion. It comprises an anion including a nitrate ion, chlorate ion (ClO4-), boron tetrafluoride ion (BF4-), antimony hexafluoride ion (SbF6-), or arsenic hexafluoride ion (AsF6-). The solvent is water. The fine semiconductor particles include oxide preferably titanium oxide. The dye is a ruthenium complex dye.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte salt comprises an anion including trifluoromethane sulfonate ion, a bis(trifluoroethanesulfonyl)imide ion, or a tris(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)methide ion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substrate of the LED array is made of gallium arsenide and a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate consists of aluminum-gallium-arsenide epitaxial layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The semiconductor crystal substrate is between a surface cover having a curved surface structure and a back cover (12). It is fixedly held in the bent state in a transparent resin (16). Semiconductor crystal substrates are fixed to the support body, and the semiconductor crystal substrates are electrically interconnected by wires (14).Preferred Properties: The semiconductor crystal substrate has a thickness of 150 mum or less.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The semiconductor crystal substrate comprises a monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The transparent resin comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: An adhesive tape is bonded to the protective film, and the adhesive tape and the protective film are peeled at the same time.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The protective film is formed of a thermosetting polyester system resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Components: The imaging apparatus comprises a wavelength conversion element. The refractive index of the protective layer is 2.1-2.5 for light resulting from conversion by the wavelength conversion element. A wavelength of the light resulting from the conversion by the wavelength conversion element is 550 nm. The protective layer has an absorption coefficient of 0 for the light resulting from the conversion by the wavelength conversion element.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The photoelectric conversion layer is amorphous silicon. The electrode layer is phosphorus-doped or boron-doped amorphous silicon. The protective layer is silicon nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The light absorption layer consists of tantalum, tungsten or molybdenum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: In (P1), the divalent group has been composed of at least one kind of atom selected from the group of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. (P1) has formula (1), (2) or (3).M = arbitrary metal or metal ion selected from the group of Ru, Pt, Os, Ir, Re, Rh, and Pd;R1 - R4, R6 - R17 = halo, -COORA1, optionally two groups may combine to form a ring structure;RA1 = H, univalent 1-15C group, alkyl, aryl, allyl, alkene, alkynyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxylate, thiocarboxy, dithiocarboxy, sulfo, sulfino, oxycarbonyl, haloformyl, carbamoyl, hydrazinocarbonyl, amidino, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, isocyanato, thiocyanate, isothiocyanate, formyl, oxo, thioformyl, thioxo, mercapto, amino, imino, hydrazino, allyloxy, sulfide, nitro, silyl;R5 = divalent group composed of at least one kind of element selected from the group of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen optionally containing as side chain(s) arbitrary substituent(s) selected from the group of -COORA2, -PO(ORA2)2, -SO2RA2, and -SO3RA2, preferably the structure given in formula (4), -O-, -S-, -CH2-CH(CH3)-, -CH2-O-CH2-, -CH2-O-, -(CH2)3-, -(CH2)3Si-, -NR18-;RA2 = H or univalent 1-15C groupa1, b1, a3 = 0-4;d1, f1 = 0-3, but when R5 contains no -COOH group, (a1 + b1 + d1 + f1) at least 1 and at least one among R1, R2, R3, and R4 = -COOH and when R5 contains -COOH group, (a1 + b1 + d1 + f1) at least 0 and when a1,b1,d1, and f1 are each at least 2, each of R1s, R2s, R3s and R4s may optionally form a ring structure by combining each other;a2, b2, b3, d3 = 0-3;d2, f2, g2, h2, f3, h3 = 0-2;m = 0-4; andR18 = alkyl, acetyl, aryl, sulfonyl or allyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The anticorrosion electrode is made of metal chosen from a group consisting of copper, zinc, aluminum and iron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: A cover sealing track is used as film (15). The solar cells or modules (6) have a synthetic plastic coating on the underside, and the solar cell or module coating can be bonded to the synthetic plastic film coating of a carrier sheet. The coating of the solar cells or modules is welded to the synthetic plastic film of the carrier sheet by hot welding, especially hot gas welding. The thickness of the artificial plastic film (15) is 0.25-2 mm. The supporting surface (5) has outer fixing legs (7) and (8), at an angle of 90-135 degrees to fixing leg (9) and an angle of 110-160 degrees to fixing leg (10). EXAMPLE - No specific example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The device comprises a dielectric layer that may be a organic resin, preferably a novolac resin. The conductive layer may comprise a layer of conducting polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polymer structure comprises polyester foam, polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam and/or foams of their copolymers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The base material sheet is formed by crosslinking by an active energy beam a composite composition containing silica fine particles, 30-90 parts by weight, having a mean particle diameter of 1-100 nm in the (meth)acrylate of formula (1), 100 parts by weight, having two functional groups. The resin contained in the undercoat layer consists of a thermosetting resin, including an epoxy resin, including an alicyclic epoxy resin. The surface active agent consists of a fluorine-based surface active agent containing a C8F17 group-bearing acrylic oligomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The covering material consists of a non-bridged resin which is an ethylene-unsaturated fatty acid copolymer with unsaturated fatty acid content of 5-30 weight%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The holding profiles are of aluminum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sealing profile is of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The semi-insulating substrate and the semiconductor layers comprise a single crystal, direct bandgap semiconductor. The non-conductive buffer layer is prepared by a low temperature growth method (LTB). It is selected from a buffer semiconductor material having a bandgap greater than a bandgap of a semiconductor material of the semi-insulating substrate and greater than a bandgap of the semiconductor layer of the photodiode structure that is in contact with the buffer semiconductor material. It comprises insulator or semiconductor material not allowing current injection between the substrate and the photodiode during illuminence of the optical energy onto the array. It has a resistivity of greater than 1x 109 ohm-cm.Preferred Method: The growing comprises epitaxially growing the buffer layer and/or semiconductor layers on the semi-insulating substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The conductive adhesive comprises a thermoplastic high polymer film, preferably a Surlyn film. The negative electrode is a titanium dioxide membrane and the positive electrode is a platinum membrane. The conductive substrate is a transparent layer of tin dioxide or indium tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The energy collecting, insulating and storage element consists of polypropylene or some other weldable plastic material which could also be reinforced by glass fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The target is zinc oxide (ZnO):X (X = gallium (Ga), aluminum (Al), indium (In) or boron (B)). The substrate comprises on the insulating substrate, molybdenum (Mo) electrode layer, p-type light absorbing layer, and n-type buffer layer in order.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Component: A wiring region formed from an electrode pad is provided to a side surface or to a reverse surface of the chip, so that an external terminal can be electrically connected to the wiring region.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The epoxy-type resin sheet of the frame portion has a function of shielding light based on coloring.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Features: The appearance additive is colored by coating with a polyvinylacetate containing an external plasticizer or an inner plasticized polyvinylacetate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: Photo-synthetically produced plant oils are used to increase the photosynthesis.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The film includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as basis material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: An adhesive (5) containing a conductive substance is used to adhere the film on the back surface of the solar battery cell. The film is colored with a single, uniform color or with a color that is selected arbitrarily. It is translucent, and is sized to have no more than an area equal to a single sheet of the solar battery cell. It is sized to cover not less than 2 successive sheets of the solar battery cell. It is sized to match an entirety of a surface of the photovoltaic module. It is continuous within an interconnection of a matrix (3) of the solar battery cells. A letter or a pattern is arranged on the film at a portion seen through the backside glass. The backside glass has an outer side with an entire surface covered with a translucent, colored film. The indoor glass has a surface with the translucent, colored film. The surface of the indoor glass that is opposite the photovoltaic module of the glass laminate structure and the surface of the photovoltaic module of glass laminate structure have a polarizing, translucent film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The openings are covered with movable louvers. The bottom plate surface interior to the rectangular box enclosure is covered with thermal insulating material. The interface with plant electrical power system consists of electrical junction box and threaded conduit below located on the external surface of the bottom of the rectangular box enclosure. The discharge outlet is a standard threaded brass half inch pipe fitting. The temperature sensor is a resistance type sensor. The lens supports have a width that allows a Fresnel lens stand-off distance ranging from 4-6 inches from top cover of the rectangular box enclosure.Preferred Parameters: The Fresnel lenses are 0.3 inches thick.Preferred Process: The discharge temperature is set to a temperature that sets a proportional temperature of the photovoltaic grid to 70-100 degreesF. When the control panel is mounted on the building roof, its temperature is controlled by flowing a hot fluid into the copper tub heat exchanger, removing heat from the fluid by the copper tubes and conducting the heat to the thermal collecting/radiator plate, and radiating the heat out through the enclosure and heating the surrounding roof area. The heat is for melting ice and snow on the collector assembly and surrounding roof. A cool liquid may be introduced instead of hot liquid to cool the roof.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The enclosure and lens supports are made from aluminum. The thermal collecting/radiator plate and interconnected heat collecting tubes are made of copper. The thermally conductive material is an epoxy paste impregnated with copper.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The Fresnel lenses, lens retainers and top cover are made of plastic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The top cover is made of glass. The thermal insulating material is foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each of the cells has front and back contacts and the cells are interconnected by conductors that have been soldered in place using an acidic flux. The solar cells can be cadmium telluride solar cells or CIGS solar cells comprising Cu(InGa)(SeS)2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The ionomer consists of ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, or Surlyn 1705. The ionomer can be modified by the addition of ultraviolet (UV) absorber, such as Chimasorb 944 and UV stabilizer, such as Tinuvin 328.Preferred Property: The zinc ionomer has low water solubility and melts at 95degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The front panel is made of glass and the rear sheet is made of Tedlar.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The pyramidal projection is formed of light reflective material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, nickel, iron or their alloys, or titanium nitride, etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Layers: The photosensitive layer contains an electric charge carrying layer (5) laminated on a charge generating layer (4). EXAMPLE - o-phthalonitrile (in g) (73), gallium trichloride (25) and alpha-chloronaphthalene (400 ml) were reacted for 6 hours at 200degreesC under nitrogen atmosphere. The product was filtered at 130degreesC. The product obtained was dispersed in N,N-dimethylformamide at 130degreesC and the product was filtered. Drying was performed after washing with methanol. 45 g of chloro gallium phthalocyanine was obtained. 15 g of phthalocyanine obtained was dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid (450) at 10degreesC. Stirring and re-precipitation in water (2300) were performed. The product was filtered and washed with 2% aqueous ammonia. Drying with ion exchange water was performed and 13 g of hydroxy gallium phthalocyanine of reduced crystallinity was obtained. N,N-dimethylformamide (210), glass-beads (300) and hydroxy gallium phthalocyanine (7) were charged into a sand mill and milling process was performed for 5 hours at 22degreesC. Solid contents were removed from the dispersion liquid. The hydroxy gallium phthalocyanine crystal was obtained after washing and drying with methanol. The crystals were obtained after vacuum drying at 40degreesC for 24 hours. The crystal obtained had an half value width (W) of 0.25degrees by X-ray diffraction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A polyester layer made from thin fibers is built into the rear side of the intermediate chambers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The method includes forming front and rear contacts (50, 80) on the front and rear insulating layers, respectively, to accommodate the front and rear contacts being formed on a heavily doped emitter region and a back surface field region, respectively. The step of forming the front and rear contact patterns includes forming phosphosilicate glass and borosilicate glass layers at both sides of the cell when both phosphorus and boron are diffused into the cell at high temperature; and wet-etching phosphosilicate and borosilicate layers. The front and rear contacts are formed simultaneously. They are formed by an electroless plating and/or an electroplating. The front and rear insulating layers are formed through a thermal-oxidation process. The printing step is a screen printing or a photogravure printing. The step of forming the shallow emitter layer includes forming an n-type layer by diffusing n-type impurities comprising a phosphorus doping source. The substrate is wet-etched to have a pyramidal shaped surface.Preferred Properties: The front and rear insulating layers have a thickness of approximately 250- approximately 750 Angstrom . The phosphosilicate glass has the same width as the heavy emitter layers. The borosilicate glass has the same width as the back surface field layers. The phosphosilicate glass and borosilicate glass layers have a higher etching rate (preferably 2-3 times) than the insulating layers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The phosphorus doping source is phosphorus (V) oxychloride (POCl3) or phosphorus (V) oxide (P2O5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: An opaque PUR may be used as a separate rear face of the panel or alternatively another plastic such as polycarbonate is used.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The opaque PUR contains either chalk, glass platelets and/or silicates.The rear side of the panel may alternatively be made from either glass or ceramic. EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT of the solar panel, the solar cells (3) are completely embedded in the PUR (1). In other cases the rear side is a separate item. The front side has a textured surface and the rear side may be shaped to form cooling ribs. Methods of manufacture involve: a) fixing solar cells to the rear side of the panel and then applying the transparent PUR front side or b) thermoforming a plastic or composite plastic sheet together with the solar cells to form a rear side before injecting or casting on the front side PUR.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Alternatively the insulator material is selected from a group consisting of hafnium oxide, silicates of zirconium, silicates of hafnium, aluminum oxide, yttrium oxide, calcium oxide, lanthanum oxide, titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, doped ZrO2, doped HfO2, Zr-Al-O, Hf-Al-O, Zr-Ti-O, Hf-Ti-O, and La-Al-O. A top electrode layer positioned on PGO layer is manufactured of a material selected from a group of platinum, iridium, tantalum, ruthenium, conductive oxide and conductive alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The scintillator is formed of bulk selected from group of materials comprising undoped CsI, CsBr, and PbO, and a photoemissive conducting compound which is selected from the group consisting of KCsSb, Cs3Sb, RbCsSb, NaCsSb, LiCsSb, CdTe, GaAs, InAs, GaAs-Cs and PbTe.
Preferred Definition: In (I),    R1, R2, R3, and R4 = ethyl group, isopropyl group, carboxyl group, or carboxyl ester.    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The pyridine compound is 4,4',4'',4'''-tetraethyl-(2,2';6',2''6'',2''') quaterpyridine, 4,4',4'',4'''-tetraisopropyl (2,2';6'2'';6''2''')quarterpyridine, (2,2';6',2'';6'',2''')quaterpyridine-4,4',4'',4'''-tetracarboxylic acid, or (2,2';6',2'';6'',2''')quaterpyridine-4,4',4'',4'''-tetracarboxylic acid tetra ester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent is tetrahydrofuran, toluene, chloroform, chlorobenzene, xylene, dichloromethane, mesitylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 2-chloronaphthalene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene and/or 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The substrate is flexible or rigid, transparent or opaque, reflective, and planar in shape. The electrode comprises a metallic or non metallic conductor. The light harvesting rods are oriented perpendicular to electrode (A1) and are intrinsic rectifiers of excited state energy and holes, and have a length of 500 nm or less. The electrolyte is aqueous, non-aqueous or polymer electrolyte comprising mobile charge carrier and solid. The solar cell is devoid of liquid in the space between the electrodes. Preferred Definitions:    at least one of X1-Xm+1 = chlorins, bacteriochlorins or isobacteriochlorins and comprises porphyrinic macromolecules, where at least one of X2-Xm+1 comprises trans meso-linked porphyrinic macromolecules and trans-beta-linked porphyrinic macromolecules;    m in formula (I) = 2-49;    Ar, Ar1, Ar2 = benzene, thiophene, furan, pyrrole, pyridine, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthracene, biphenyl, indene, quinoline, pyridazine, pyrimidine, fluorine or pyrazine;    Y2,Y5 = H or alkyl;    Y3,Y4 = H, halo, ethynyl, dialkyl boronate or trialkyl tin; and    Y6 = alkyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Booster Station: The booster pump is powered by a hydraulic motor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The hot pressing is performed under non-oxidizing gas atmosphere. The grinding and hot pressing are performed in the presence of hexane or solvent of CnH(2n+1)OH or CnH(2n+2)CO.where n = 1-3Preferred Parameter: The powder has an average particle size of 1-20 micron.Preferred Component: The thermoelectric material is p-type or n-type thermoelectric material.Preferred Material: The dopant used at the mixing and melting of the p-type thermoelectric material is selenium or tellurium. It is present at an atomic ratio of at most 0.2. The dopant used at the mixing and melting of the n-type thermoelectric material is bismuth fluoride, bismuth chloride, bismuth bromide, bismuth iodide, tellurium chloride, tellurium iodide, tellurium bromide, selenium chloride, selenium bromide, selenium iodide, antimony fluoride, antimony chloride, and/or antimony bromide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The compounding and molding stages are performed under low shear strain conditions.The plastic and graphite powder and fiber fillers are separately fed into the compounding stage, with the resin being fed first.The homogeneous melt is metered and transferred to the molding stage.Preferred Parameters: The shear strain is less than 80000, preferably less than 30000. The plate has a surface roughness of not more than 100 mu-inch.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The plastic consists of thermoplastic, thermosetting plastics, or elastomers. It may be a thermoplastically processable fluorine-containing polymer.The thermoplastic polymer is aromatic-polyester-based liquid crystalline polymer. The graphite powders include synthetic or natural graphite powders in the form of flakes or sphericals. The graphite fibers include pitch based or polyacrylonitrile based graphite fibers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Energy Converter The energy conversion arrangement includes titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, an electrolyte and optional coloring, e.g. terra-cotta.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Series Arrangement The energy conversion arrangement includes a lateral sequence of pn junctions.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Geometry The cells are stacked with air cooling gaps and/or liquid cooling. A lamellar arrangement is used. An optionally-stacked strip-like assembly, forms shapes of any selected geometry.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Methods: The rotating step includes expanding the pressurized natural gas in the turbine. The method also involves cooling the pressurized natural gas prior to the expanding step, heating the pressurized natural gas prior to routing the pressurized natural gas through the heat exchanger, controlling a pressure drop in the pressurized natural gas during the expanding via a control valve, routing the expanded natural gas through thermoelectric heat exchanger to provide a cooling effect for producing electrical power using thermoelectric heat exchanger, removing heat from fluid agent subsequent to the expanding via a second heat exchanger, and pumping the fluid agent between two heat exchangers. The cooling step includes routing the pressurized natural gas through a heat exchanger. The heating step includes expanding the pressurized natural gas using down-hole choke. The pressure drop is controlled to allow at least some of the pressurized natural gas to be liquefied in response to the expanding. The rotating step involves rotating the turbine with pressurized liquid and gas from the natural gas well.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The heat exchanger is a thermoelectric heat exchanger used to produce electrical power from thermal energy of the pressurized natural gas. The turbine is a rotary vane turbine, jet turbine utilizing jet propulsion, or blade-less. At least some of the fluid agent condenses in response to the expanding. The fluid agent is low-boiling point liquid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The biological catalyst comprises photosynthetic or lithotrophic bacteria, and organotrophic cells. The energy source comprises light, organic compounds or molecular hydrogen. Preferred Method: The method further comprises supplementing the anolyte with an energy source that can be used by the biological catalyst; and determining the concentration of the test compound in the sample.Detection of the presence of a specific organic or inorganic test compound in a sample comprises:(a) providing biosensor comprising electrochemical fuel cell system;(b) placing an anolyte in the anode compartment;(c) placing a catholyte in the cathode compartment;(d) allowing oxidation of a portion of any test compound present in the sample and reduction of a portion of oxidized neutral red;(e) allowing the transfer of electrons from reduced neutral red to the cathode;(f) detecting the generation of an electrical current; and(g) determining the concentration of the test compound in the sample.Measuring the chemical oxygen demand in waste water, comprises:(a) providing an electrochemical fuel system;(b) placing an anolyte in the anode compartment;(c) placing a catholyte in the cathode compartment;(d) allowing the neutral red-mediated converison of chemical reducing power to electricity; and(e) measuring the electrical current generated by the fuel cell system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The inventive receiver may also include solar cells that convert the solar energy to electrical energy. The electrically conductive interconnect enables solar cells to be positioned within 50 mum from each other. It is of evaporated metal deposited in a pattern from the top side to the rear side of the solar cell. It may be also a welded metallic element wrapped around from the top side to the rear side of the solar cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The second di-electric sheet is made of a polyimide material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The second di-electric sheet is also made of a ceramic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The top metallic sheet is made of a clad-material and the rear metallic sheet is made of copper. The first and second electrically conductive adhesives are made of a metal loaded adhesive or solder material. The heat sink is made of plated copper or nickel plated aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The binder material consist of resin based material or alkali material containing silicate compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Solders: The solders used for connecting the P-type and N-type elements comprise an alloy of tin, silver, copper, bismuth, antimony, indium and zinc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The adhesive is an elastic epoxy adhesive agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The insulation member comprises an organic polymer resin such as acrylic type, urethane type, polyimide type, vinyl chloride type, silicone type, fluorine type, polyethylene type, or polypropylene type.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin covered on the photo voltaic cell is selected from group comprising ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, ethylene-methylacrylate copolymer, ethylene-ethylacrylate copolymer or polyvinyl butyral resin. The solar cell is fixed using a silicone adhesive with a low heat conductivity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The concentrating glass lenses are selected from the group consisting of tandem gallium indium phosphide/gallium indium arsenide cell and gallium arsenide cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The compound parabolic concentrator is coated with aluminum or chrome.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxide System: The composite oxide is of formula (Ia).(LpA(1-p))(CozCuqD(1-z-q))xOy (Ia)D = at least one of Mn, Fe and Zn; andq = between 0 and 1. Preferred Definitions:    B = Cu or Fe;    D = Fe;    L = La; and    A = Sr.    EXAMPLE - A powdery mixture of metal composition La(0.85)Sr(0.15)Co(0.9)Cu(0.1) was ground, calcined in an alumina crucible at 1150 degrees C for 8 hours, ground for 1 hour, molded under 300 kg/ cm2 and sintered by heating at 1200 degrees C for 8 hours. Electric conductivity of the product was 880 S/cm at room temperature, and 887 S/cm after keeping it for 1 month.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The interdigital semiconductor structure is provided with an interdigital contacting structure (13, 14). The groove(s) extend to the wafer to form a thin wafer section.Preferred Method: Method of providing an interdigital semiconductor structure with an interdigital contacting structure comprises: applying a passivating layer on the surfaces of the silicon wafer and the diffusion zones; applying metallization layers on the passivating layer, where each metallization layer extends along a diffusion zone; and producing electric contacts by firing the metallization layers. The doping paste is applied by screen printing. The etching agent is an etching paste applied by screen printing. Forcing the dopant to diffuse to the silicon wafer is carried out at 800-1200degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Metal: The electrode comprises metal selected from the group of copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), gold (Au) and silver (Ag). The bonding material is selected from silicon (Si), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), PbSn, Snsb, SnCu, SnCuNi, AuSn, AuGe, AuSi and Au.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The cover layer on the solar module consists of polyurethane, polyester or another transparent plastic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thermosetting resin is chosen from an amine type compound, urethane resin, amine resin, phenol resin, unsaturated polyester, condensation type silicone resin, mixed with polyethylene glycol polymer with glycidyl group at end of chain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The support assembly and the cover constitute a continuous, unitary member. The main member is a thermal insulator, and the cover comprises a low-emissivity layer. Adjacent PV assemblies are inter engaged so wind uplift forces on one of the assemblies tend to transfer to adjacent PV assemblies to help counteract the wind uplift forces.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal cover comprises a galvanized steel, zinc-alum or aluminum coated metal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The metal cover may comprise polyvinylidene fluoride resin-coated metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The hybrid luminaire further comprises electric lamp(s), large-core optical fiber(s) connected to the light distribution system, and light dispensing element(s) mounted in a lens diffuser. The secondary optical element further comprises secondary mirror(s) for receiving the reflected full spectrum solar radiation and further reflecting only infrared filtered solar radiation. The secondary mirror further comprises a high temperature glass substrate with a sputtered ultraviolet cold coating on a first reflective surface; segmented planar sections that precisely focus light into eight optical fibers; and an elliptical secondary element that extends the focus of the primary mirror and couples light into a packed array of nine optical fibers. The primary mirror is a low quality coated 1.5 m diameter hydroformed satellite dish.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The optical fiber is a large-core polymer construction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The PVCs of the solar collector are selected from silicon based PVCs, gallium-arsenide (GaAs) based PVCs, aluminum-gallium-arsenide (AlGaAs) based PVCs, germanium (Ge) based PVCs, gallium-indium-phosphide (GaInP) based PVCs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The semiconductor crystal substrate is between a surface cover having a curved surface structure and a back cover (12). It is fixedly held in the bent state in a transparent resin (16). Semiconductor crystal substrates are fixed to the support body, and the semiconductor crystal substrates are electrically interconnected by wires (14).Preferred Properties: The semiconductor crystal substrate has a thickness of 150 mum or less.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The semiconductor crystal substrate comprises a monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The transparent resin comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - A permanent magnet (2) cooperates with a control body (8) when the reservoir is in the lower position and this body is used to increase the size of the reservoir. The first fluid is a liquid and the second fluid is a gas. The reservoir has a deformable and/or elastic wall (14) and comprises e.g. a balloon or bellows.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Material: The thermoelectric generator is made of bismuth telluride. The catalyst is iron fillings or nickel and aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: In (P1), the divalent group has been composed of at least one kind of atom selected from the group of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. (P1) has formula (1), (2) or (3).M = arbitrary metal or metal ion selected from the group of Ru, Pt, Os, Ir, Re, Rh, and Pd;R1 - R4, R6 - R17 = halo, -COORA1, optionally two groups may combine to form a ring structure;RA1 = H, univalent 1-15C group, alkyl, aryl, allyl, alkene, alkynyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxylate, thiocarboxy, dithiocarboxy, sulfo, sulfino, oxycarbonyl, haloformyl, carbamoyl, hydrazinocarbonyl, amidino, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, isocyanato, thiocyanate, isothiocyanate, formyl, oxo, thioformyl, thioxo, mercapto, amino, imino, hydrazino, allyloxy, sulfide, nitro, silyl;R5 = divalent group composed of at least one kind of element selected from the group of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen optionally containing as side chain(s) arbitrary substituent(s) selected from the group of -COORA2, -PO(ORA2)2, -SO2RA2, and -SO3RA2, preferably the structure given in formula (4), -O-, -S-, -CH2-CH(CH3)-, -CH2-O-CH2-, -CH2-O-, -(CH2)3-, -(CH2)3Si-, -NR18-;RA2 = H or univalent 1-15C groupa1, b1, a3 = 0-4;d1, f1 = 0-3, but when R5 contains no -COOH group, (a1 + b1 + d1 + f1) at least 1 and at least one among R1, R2, R3, and R4 = -COOH and when R5 contains -COOH group, (a1 + b1 + d1 + f1) at least 0 and when a1,b1,d1, and f1 are each at least 2, each of R1s, R2s, R3s and R4s may optionally form a ring structure by combining each other;a2, b2, b3, d3 = 0-3;d2, f2, g2, h2, f3, h3 = 0-2;m = 0-4; andR18 = alkyl, acetyl, aryl, sulfonyl or allyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The anticorrosion electrode is made of metal chosen from a group consisting of copper, zinc, aluminum and iron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: A cover sealing track is used as film (15). The solar cells or modules (6) have a synthetic plastic coating on the underside, and the solar cell or module coating can be bonded to the synthetic plastic film coating of a carrier sheet. The coating of the solar cells or modules is welded to the synthetic plastic film of the carrier sheet by hot welding, especially hot gas welding. The thickness of the artificial plastic film (15) is 0.25-2 mm. The supporting surface (5) has outer fixing legs (7) and (8), at an angle of 90-135 degrees to fixing leg (9) and an angle of 110-160 degrees to fixing leg (10). EXAMPLE - No specific example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The electrical energy can be provided via a thermoelectric converter using the temperature difference between 2 mediums, a turbine and a generator using the kinetic energy of a flow medium, via the energy of process gases in a fuel cell, via the kinetic energy of mechanical machine elements, or using solar energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The mold is formed with a predetermined pre-curvature. The radii of curvature are determined based on the desired finish laminated product. The mold includes at least three different regions and radii of curvature per half of the mold. A fusible film is placed between the glass and metal component to form a rigid structure. The body is formed from a sheet metal plate, either as a native metal material or coated with protective metal layers and/or paint. The tabs form an alternating pattern of upper and lower tabs alternating between individual tabs or alternating between sets of tabs. They are punched through from either one or both sides of the sheet material such that they form an alternating pattern, in which upper and lower tabs fall above and below the desired profile for the sheet material, respectively.Preferred Property: The metal sheet has a thickness of 0.4-1 mm. The fusible film has a thickness of 50-200 microns and a bond line temperature of 80-180 degreesC. It has softening point exceeding any expected temperatures the laminated product could experience in its designed exposure situations. The thickness of the material of the elongated body is 0.5-2 mm.Preferred Conditions: Pressure is applied to the laminate components by sealing a vacuum bag (16) over the components such that pressure outside the bag causes the laminate components to conform to the shape of the mold. The vacuum applied to the bag is -40 to -100 kPa.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The laminate is a glass on metal laminate including glass and metal laminate components. The glass laminate component includes a mirror-backed glass sheet having a thickness of 0.6-1 mm. The laminate components have two glass components and a metal component.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal includes a metal sheet of a coated or uncoated iron or aluminum, or other metal sheet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Thermoelectric element contains material selected from bismuth-tellurium group or bismuth-antimony-tellurium group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The thermo-electric material is of P-type and N-type BiTe group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The covering material consists of a non-bridged resin which is an ethylene-unsaturated fatty acid copolymer with unsaturated fatty acid content of 5-30 weight%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: When the other element which substitutes for A is Ds, the substitution amount a of the element Ds is a = 0-1 in the formula (A1-aDsa)2BC and the total valence electron number is 23.2-24.8 per chemical formula. When the other element which substitutes for B is Es, the substitution amount b is b = 0-1 in the formula A2(B1-bEsb)C and the total valence electron number is 23.2-24.8 per chemical formula. When the other element which substitutes for C is Fs, the substitution amount c is c = 0-1 in the formula A2B(C1-cFec) and the total valence electron number is 23.2-24.8 per chemical formula. Specifically, A is iron, B is vanadium and C is aluminum. Ds is platinum and/or cobalt. Es is molybdenum and/or titanium. Fs is silicon, germanium and/or tin. EXAMPLE - The thermoelectric conversion material is Fe2V(Al1-cSic) where c = 0-0.2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The conductive adhesive comprises a thermoplastic high polymer film, preferably a Surlyn film. The negative electrode is a titanium dioxide membrane and the positive electrode is a platinum membrane. The conductive substrate is a transparent layer of tin dioxide or indium tin oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Elements: The metal element is a transition metal element selected from elements in VIII, IX and X groups of periodic element, preferably iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium or platinum. The non-metal element is selected from XIV, XV, XVI groups of periodic table, pnicogen or chalcogen. The filling element is a metallic element including a rare earth element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrical energy provides power to sensors on the bottom hole assembly. The sensors measure vibrational frequency or axial strain, and data, for detecting drill bit failure. The source collects the energy using a spring mass system. The mass has magnetic properties. The vibration causes the mass to oscillate near a coil to generate a current. The power source has no electrical connections external to the sub-assembly.Preferred Method: The vibrational energy is collected by a spring mass system, causing the mass to oscillate. The electrical energy is collected by a capacitor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The target is zinc oxide (ZnO):X (X = gallium (Ga), aluminum (Al), indium (In) or boron (B)). The substrate comprises on the insulating substrate, molybdenum (Mo) electrode layer, p-type light absorbing layer, and n-type buffer layer in order.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The solar power distillation system further includes legs detachably connected to the basin, leg fittings, angled fittings, straight polyvinyl chloride pipes connecting the legs together at the end of the legs not attached to the leg fittings, transparent component attached to the lip surface so as to cover the basin, pressure strip that clamps the transparent component to the lip of the basin casing, and stair stepped membrane having fluid reservoirs. The basin includes a basin casing (108) and an insulation layer made of polyisocyanurate molded or sprayed on the casing. The casing includes a strengthening component (120) on the bottom surface and integrally formed with the casing.Preferred Materials: The membrane (110) comprises silicone, thermoplastic vulcanizates and fiber glass reinforced polyesters. The vulcanizates is thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic rubber or ethylene propylene terpolymer rubber, preferably Uniprene, Santoprene or Sarlink. The polyester is Bedford reinforced plastic sheet. The basin and basin casing are formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic, polycarbonate, polypropylene or polybutylene. The legs are made of polyvinyl chloride piping which is a schedule 40 or schedule 80 and is of a dark grey color. The insulating layer is made of polyisocyanurate or styrofoam.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The silicone is Dow Corning 40, Dow Corning 732 or Dow Corning 999-A multipurpose sealant silicone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The alloy layers contains tin and a transition metal element selected from group consisting of silver, gold, copper, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, thorium and uranium. The N-type and P-type semiconductor includes an element selected from lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, thorium and uranium
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sheet: The adhesive sheet is formed by laminating an alkoxy silane layer having an amino group on the surface of the modified ethylene group resin layer having shear modulus of 3x105 Pa or more at 80degreesC. The modified ethylene resin layer is an ethylene layer comprising polyethylene, ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymer, ethylene-vinylacetate polymer and/or ethylene-acrylate polymer, and 0.01 mass% or more of epoxy compound as a copolymerization component or an addition component. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-glycidylmethacrylate copolymer (in weight part) (100), hindered amine group optical stabilizer (0.5), and phenol group antioxidant (0.1) were mixed and extruded into a sheet of thickness 300 mum at 160degreesC. The extruded sheet had shear modulus of 3x106 Pa at 80degreesC. The sheet was coated with ethanol solution of (gamma)-aminopropyl triethoxysilane and dried at 80degreesC for 20 seconds. Ethanol was volatilized and (gamma)-aminopropyl triethoxysilane coating of thickness 0.01 mum was formed on the surface of the sheet. The resulting adhesive sheet was laminated with aluminum foil in the order of polyvinylfluoride-aluminum foil laminate/adhesive sheet/aluminum plate/adhesive sheet, and heated in vacuum for 20 minutes at 130degreesC in a heat-resistant rubber bag. The resulting laminate was used for solar cell module. The arrangement was left for 2000 hours at 85degreesC and 85% relative humidity atmosphere based on JIS C8917, and at 23degreesC in 10% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide for 200 hours based on JIS K7114. Exfoliation of the adhesive sheet, yellowing or cracking of the sheet were not observed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Element: Group 2 element is zinc. Group 3 element is at least one kind chosen from indium and gallium. Group 6 element is at least one kind chosen from selenium and sulfur. The element contained in the optical absorption layer is I-III-VI2 group element containing copper, indium and selenium. The element contained in the buffer layer is II-III2-VI4 group element. The transparent layer consists of zinc oxide. The electrode consists of at least one kind of element chosen from gold, molybdenum, nickel and platinum or their metallic oxide. The transparent substrate consists of glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The concrete WASER of hurricane dwarfing scale forms a single molded concrete piece frame, on which steel frames for residential buildings and the steel towers are applied to. The exterior reinforced concrete surfaces are covered by polished molding stainless steel rim-fold technique. Aerodynamic residential building configurations are provided for reduced wind resistance. The pivoting towers also form the airfoils leading edge and provide track-wheel suspension and indexing reference to the airfoil blades position. They also provide internal elevators operation for people, cargo and automatic parking of robotic transporters.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The processing apparatus further contains an alkali chemical addition device (4) which adds an alkali chemical to adjust pH of the acid formation tank. The apparatus further comprises a filtration device (2) to sludge and filtrate the process liquid between the acid formation tank and methane-fermentation tank. The filtration device separates the filtrate ejected from the acid formation tank. A return device which returns the sludge to the acid formation tank after the separation is provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Arrangement: The fuel cell is a solid polymer fuel cell. The electricity generation system uses the eliminated sewage gas for a gas working mold internal combustion engine. The sewage gas contains methane and hydrogen gas. The gas working mold internal combustion engine is a micro gas turbine and/or a gas engine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The openings are covered with movable louvers. The bottom plate surface interior to the rectangular box enclosure is covered with thermal insulating material. The interface with plant electrical power system consists of electrical junction box and threaded conduit below located on the external surface of the bottom of the rectangular box enclosure. The discharge outlet is a standard threaded brass half inch pipe fitting. The temperature sensor is a resistance type sensor. The lens supports have a width that allows a Fresnel lens stand-off distance ranging from 4-6 inches from top cover of the rectangular box enclosure.Preferred Parameters: The Fresnel lenses are 0.3 inches thick.Preferred Process: The discharge temperature is set to a temperature that sets a proportional temperature of the photovoltaic grid to 70-100 degreesF. When the control panel is mounted on the building roof, its temperature is controlled by flowing a hot fluid into the copper tub heat exchanger, removing heat from the fluid by the copper tubes and conducting the heat to the thermal collecting/radiator plate, and radiating the heat out through the enclosure and heating the surrounding roof area. The heat is for melting ice and snow on the collector assembly and surrounding roof. A cool liquid may be introduced instead of hot liquid to cool the roof.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The enclosure and lens supports are made from aluminum. The thermal collecting/radiator plate and interconnected heat collecting tubes are made of copper. The thermally conductive material is an epoxy paste impregnated with copper.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The Fresnel lenses, lens retainers and top cover are made of plastic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The top cover is made of glass. The thermal insulating material is foam.
EXAMPLE - Steel, whose composition lay in the claimed range, was molten and cast into ingots which were hot forged and hot rolled into steel sheets with the thickness of 15 mm, which were quenched at 920 degreesC then tempered at 500-550 degreesC, whose proof stress was 957 MPa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The lower metal layer is formed of molybdenum. The antireflection material layer consists of amorphous silicon dioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The lower CERMET layer is formed of a ceramic matrix consisting of an amorphous silicon dioxide in which molybdenum is dispersed at a volumetric fraction (preferably at 0.5) lower than that of the adjacent CERMET layer. The upper CERMET layer consists of SiO2 matrix in which molybdenum is dispersed at a volumetric fraction of 0.2.Preferred Dimension: The reflecting metal layer is 100 nm thick. The lower and upper CERMET layers are each 75 nm thick. The antireflection material layer is 70 nm thick.Preferred Property: The surface coating material has a working temperature of 300-580 degreesC so that a maximum temperature of 550 degreesC is attained for the working fluid. At a working temperature of 580 degreesC, the coating material has an absorptivity (alpha) of 0.93, an emissivity (epsilonh) of 0.065-0.81 and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 0.835-0.810.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The substrate onto which the semiconductor layer is transferred consists of a plastic material, in particular, polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Target: The sintered compact contains indium oxide with indium substituted by molybdenum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The polymerizable functional group is chosen from (meth)acrylate residues, allyl and vinyl groups. The non-polymerizable functional group is chosen from 1-6C alkyl groups and functional groups containing boron atoms.Preferred Composition: The ion conductive polymer composition further comprises an electrolytic salt and non-aqueous solvent(s). The polyether polymer compounds are cross-linked. EXAMPLE - Potassium hydroxide (9 g) was added to pentaerythritol (1 mole) in a pressure-proof container and heated to 100 degrees C. The pressure was reduced to 5 mmHg or less and the temperature was increased to 120 degrees C. A monomer mixture containing ethylene oxide (100 moles) and 2,3-epoxy-1-propanol (100 moles), was added and reacted at 120 +/- 5 degrees C. After reaction termination, tertiary potassium butoxide (105 moles) was added and alcoholation was carried out at 120 degrees C. The pressure was reduced to 5 mmHg or less and the contents were cooled to 80 degrees C. Further, methyl chloride (75 mole) and allyl chloride (30 mole) were reacted at 80 +/- 5 degrees C.    After reaction termination, excess acid was eliminated using absorbent followed by dehydration and filtration to form polyether polymer modified at the ends. An ion conductive polymer composition of 500 micrometer thickness was obtained by mixing 10 g of above prepared polyether polymer and 2.7 g of Li((CF3SO2)2N) as electrolytic salt. The ion conductive polymer composition was found to have ion conductivity of 1 x 10 to the power of -4 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Compounds: The combustible gas processing system further comprises a storage battery (32) which accumulates the electricity generated from device (18), wind power equipment (34) and solar power generation device (36), gas sensor (20) for detecting the concentration and capacity of combustible gas supplied to equipment (16), gas sensor (22) for detecting the concentration and capacity of combustible gas from equipment (16), and supply apparatus (10) for supplying the combustible gas. The control unit has a communication function which communicates with a remote server through a communication network. The equipment (16) performs reciprocating motion combustion or catalyzed combustion. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The combustible gas is methane or nitrogen dioxide.
Preferred System: The system includes an automatic orientation device (3) having a pair of orthogonal cables and actuating means (31) adapted to selectively tension the cables in order to rotate the reflecting member about the focus region. The automatic orientation device comprises a photovoltaic transducer for driving the actuating means fixed with the reflecting member. The transducer comprises pairs of photovoltaic sensors differently oriented and electrically connected, so that the potential difference between the cells of a pair depends on the orientation of the reflecting member with respect to the incident radiation. The orientation device comprises, for each pair of cells, a relay, its movable member being selectively moved, by electromagnetic attraction, according to the potential difference between the cells.    Preferred Thermal Plant: The heat exchanger comprises a spiral shaped exchange component. Heat exchangers are connected in parallel by means for feeding process water. The plant is combined with a heat exchanger inside a hot-air motor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The oxide is oriented along the C axis. EXAMPLE - Calcium carbonate powder, cobalt oxide (CO4O4) powder, strontium carbonate powder, and zirconium oxide were placed in a polypropylene-made container, and wet-mixed for 24 hours using ethanol as a dispersion medium. The powder was dried and granulated. The product was compressed and heated under oxygen at 5degreesC/min to 900degreesC and fired at 900degreesC for 10 hours to produce a sintered rod having a square cross-section. The sintered product exhibited, both at low and high temperatures, a higher Seebeck coefficient than the conventionally formed product.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The binder is acrylic resin group or polyvinyl alcohol group binder.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metallic oxide powder is chosen from oxides of indium, tin, zinc, aluminum, gallium, cerium, germanium and silicon, and their complex oxides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A polyester layer made from thin fibers is built into the rear side of the intermediate chambers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The blank is formed from polystyrene foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Component: The fuel reforming system further comprises a raw fuel flow rate adjusting mechanism which can adjust the raw fuel flow rate to the reformer, and a gas flow rate adjusting mechanism which can adjust the oxygen-gas containing flow rate to the reformer.The reformer comprises a raw fuel inlet for supplying the raw fuel, a gas inlet for supplying the oxygen-containing gas used in the partial oxidation reaction, a catalyst which produces the hydrogen-containing reformate gas by performing the reforming reaction and the partial oxidation reaction using the oxygen-containing gas and raw fuel, a gas outlet which discharges the produced reformate gas, and a middle gas inlet for supplying the oxygen-containing gas between the gas inlet and the gas outlet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The initial baffle and/or subsequent baffle further comprises a screen, or perforated plate. The initial solid phase is disposed between the subsequent baffle and the vapor outlet. A cooling apparatus is at least disposed in thermal communication with a portion of the separator between the solid plate and vapor outlet. A gas storage vessel is in fluid communication with the vapor outlet. A drier is fluidly disposed between the gas/liquid separator and the gas storage vessel. A liquid storage vessel is in fluid communication with the liquid outlet and with the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell is an electrolysis cell. A fuel cell is in fluid communication with the gas storage vessel.Preferred Parameters: The initial baffle openings have a size larger than the subsequent baffle openings. The initial baffle has an initial porosity of 25-50% and the subsequent baffle has a subsequent porosity of 50-75%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: Producing an acidic water vapor comprises:(1) obtaining aqueous water;(2) passing the aqueous water through a reverse osmosis filter one or more times;(3) recovering acidic water from the reverse osmosis filter; and(4) heating the acidic water to produce an acidic water vapor.Recovering the dissociated hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases comprises locating a cathode at a first position within the interior region of the photolysis bottle to recover the positively charged H2 gas and locating an anode at a second position within the interior region of the photolysis bottle to recover the negatively charged O2 gas.Alternatively, recovering the dissociated H2 and O2 gases comprises:(1) locating a cathode at a first position outside the interior region of the photolysis bottle;(2) electrically coupling the voltage potential of the cathode to the dissociated H2 and O2 gases contained within interior region of the photolysis bottle to recover the positively charged H2 gas;(3) locating an anode at a second position outside of the interior region of the photolysis bottle; and(4) electrically coupling the voltage potential of the anode to the dissociated H2 and O2 gases contained within interior region of the photolysis bottle to recover the negatively charged O2 gas.The wavelength of the light signal is shorter than or longer than 246 nm. Illuminating the acidic water vapor with a light signal comprises injecting the light signal into a photolysis bottle containing the acidic water vapor. The dissociated H2 and O2 gases are radiated with a radio frequency (RF) signal of 5-96 (preferably 48) GHz.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The photolysis bottle comprises an undulated wall. The undulated wall has a coating that is reflective to the wavelength of injected light.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The substrate is aluminum substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Hydrogen occluding material contains a porous carbon material having specific surface area of 1000 m2/g or more.The hydrogen occluding material contains 5-50 weight% of porous carbon material, and a binder which binds the porous carbon material and hydrogen occlusion alloy.The hydrogen occluding material is obtained by carrying out high pressure compression processing.Preferred Alloy: The hydrogen occlusion alloy is titanium type alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The porous carbonization film is a carbonized or graphitized film obtained by treatment of a polymer film, preferably a polyimide film. The film is 5-300 microm thick, has holes of average diameter 0.01-10 microm and has 20-80% porosity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The surface covering layer is formed on both sides of the negative electrode terminal lead. It is formed on areas of positive electrode terminal lead or the negative electrode terminal lead at which the thermally welded portions are held in contact. The multiple flat type batteries are electrically connected in series and/or in parallel. A pair of outer sheaths is prepared and the thermally welded portions are formed around entire circumferences of the pair of the outer sheaths. The outer sheath is folded in a bladder shape to form an opening portion at which the thermally welded portions are formed. The multiple batteries are electrically connected in series and/or in parallel to form a compound battery.Preferred Parameters: The value of thickness of the surface covering layer divided by the thickness of the terminal mother material is 0.01-0.5. The sum of the thickness of the surface covering layer and a thickness of the terminal mother material is 50-500 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The terminal mother material is made of copper, iron or their alloy. The surface covering layer is made of nickel or its alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell also includes controlling mechanism for controlling distance between the cathode and anode compartments. Graphite felt or graphite felt coated with metal is used as an electrode of the cathode compartment. Graphite felt coated with platinum can be used as an electrode of the cathode compartment. A buffer solution is used in the anode compartment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The metallic material is deposited on the peripheral portion of the frame. It forms the eutectic with the separator. A silicon nitride film (25) is formed at least on the peripheral portion of one of the frame and separator such that the metallic material is deposited on the silicon nitride film. The radiation energy is a laser beam, preferably a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser beam.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: Both of the separator and the frame are made of a silicon substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The metallic material comprises gold, copper and/or aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The step of forming a diffusion layer comprises forming the electroconductive film on the surface of the substrate by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, spin coating, sputtering, or screen printing. It comprises forming openings in the electroconductive film, where the fluid paths of the diffusion layer comprise the openings formed in the electroconductive film. It comprises forming a structure reinforcement member between the substrate and the electroconductive film, and forming openings in the structure reinforcement member.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: At least one projection (30) is provided in the recess of each separator (11, 12). The first electroconductive film constitutes at least part of a top surface of the projection. Each separator is provided with the recesses so that fuel cells are arranged on a common plane. Third electroconductive films corresponding to the fuel cells are formed on the second separator surface. The assembly comprises electrical connection member(s) for contacting the third films on the second surface of the separator to electrically connect the fuel cells. Each through-hole is inclined so that it diverges from the first separator surface, and formed in the projection. It is provided in a bottom of the recess.At least part of the first film extends along the bottom of the recess to contact the second film formed on the sidewall of the through-hole provided in the bottom of the recess. The substrate is made of semiconductor materials. An insulating film is formed between the first film and first separator surface, second film and sidewall of the through-hole, and the third film and second separator surface. An electroconductive diffusion layer is formed between the separators and catalyst electrode layer.Preferred Method: Each separator is formed by etching a substrate made of an inorganic material. The electroconductive films are formed by depositing a metallic material on the separators by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, spin coating, sputtering, or screen-printing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: After the copper foam has been pasted with the paste mixture, and the paste mixture has dried, the negative electrode is sprayed with an emulsion of polytetrafluoroethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The alkaline electrolyte restricts the solubility of the zinc of the zinc negative electrode. Preferred Method: The side of the nickel substrate in contact with the nickel hydroxide positive electrode has been treated, to provide a higher surface area, by etching, embossing, scoring, grinding, particle blasting, rolling, coining, and/or pebbling. The thin film nickel hydroxide positive electrode material is applied to the respective surface of the nickel substrate, by chemical vapor deposition, plasma deposition, ion implantation, and/or electrostatic powder spray application. Preferred Parameter: The ampere-hour capacity of the zinc negative electrode is at least twice, preferably 3-5 times higher than the ampere-hour capacity, of the nickel hydroxide positive electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A metal is a min (sic) component of the substrate. Nickel is a main component of the substrate and materials comprising cobalt, calcium, titanium, silver, yttrium, lanthanide, carbon, or their oxides are arranged on major part of the surface. The concave and convex parts arranged in alternating columns of concave parts or groups of convex parts in parallel and define an angle of 30-60degrees. The surfaces of the electrode are covered with electrolyte-proof fine powder of synthetic resin. A thickness of the electrode plate is less than 0.5 mm. Microscopic concavities and convexities of 0.1-9 microns is provided in a wall surface of the metallic foil.Preferred Methods: The substrate is annealed after making the 3D structure. It is processed to produce unevenness by pressing between dies in which upper and lower dies are formed to have same unevenness so as to engage with each other.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The housing further comprises retaining walls being configured to surround the openings. The retaining walls define receiving areas adjacent to the openings. The receiving areas are configured to receive the annular member and the head portion of the plug. The threaded portion is to be received and engaged in the opening of the housing of the electrical storage medium. The elongated opening is orthogonally positioned with respect to the pair of openings. The pair of openings is positioned 180 degrees from each other. The head portion extends outwardly from the annular member. The housing has been ventilated by a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in partial fluid communication with ambient air.Preferred Property: The diameter of the head portion is slightly smaller than the receiving area.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The plug is molded out of polystyrene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Method: The coated surface is formed on external magnetic field which is non-uniform. The polymer solution is applied by spin casting. The method also involves removing the magnetic composite from the magnetic material coated surface to provide a free-standing composite film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Concentration: The respective polymer concentrations are varied to form monotonic or discontinuous graded density on the coated surface. The polymer concentration is 2-50 wt.%.Preferred Component: The polymer comprises at least one gradient polymer and an ion exchange polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The carbon material layer comprises carbon nanotubes, fibers or nanohorns, or other carbon material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The acrylonitrile is acrylate group monomer or methacrylic ester group monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The fuel cell has sealed insulating material layers (7, 8) to prevent premature consumption.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred heater battery This is a dry lead acid battery or a lithium ion battery. Preferred temperature sensor A conventional sensor is used, or the heater resistance is measured. Preferred supply battery This is a NiCd battery, or a NiMH battery. Preferred heater This is a foil heater.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The batteries are in IEC sizes R03, R6, R14 or R20.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Methods: The method includes adjusting flow rate to produce a thickness less than 0.03, preferably 0.008 inch, adjusting the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide to a ratio greater than 1.0, and adjusting flow rate and inlet temperature to produce a temperature on the catalytic surface of 300-450 degrees C.Preferred Components: The catalytic surface comprises platinum, wash coat or alumina. The surface is stabilized with a stabilizer including lanthanum. The catalytic reactor comprises channels. A channel is defined by substrate and another channel is defined by another substrate. The gas stream comprises carbon dioxide. The channel has length less than 0.45 inch.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The heat resistive synthetic pulp like material comprises resin chosen from aromatic polyamide resin, polyamide resin and polybenzimidazole resin. The fiber consists of polyester type resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The high pressure gas can be produced which has a pressure at least5 times that of the pressure in the reactor before the reaction, and the fluid is a low boiling point fluid. A process is included for separating the hydrogen and other compounds. The low boiling point fluid is e.g. LNG, LPG, liquid carbon dioxide, ammonia, dimethyl ether, alcohol, ether etc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The controller is configured to supply the engine with 100% reformate fueling during cold-start, idle, and low engine load operating conditions and is further configured to supply the engine with a combination of the liquid fuel and the reformate as needed to meet engine requirements during vehicle road-load conditions.The system further includes a small supply of reformate to supply the engine and/or the exhaust catalyst with reformate during periods when the on-board reformer is not operational; and an ignition source disposed between the engine exhaust outlet and exhaust catalyst or igniting the engine exhaust and reformate to enable the engine exhaust and reformate to heat the exhaust catalyst.Preferred Method: The method further comprises accelerated heating of the exhaust catalyst during cold start.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Property: The bulk hydrogen storage alloy has a plateau pressure of at most 400 psi (preferably 100 psi) at most 25 degrees C (preferably 12 degrees C), and a plateau pressure at least 2000 psi (preferably 6000 psi) at most 200 degrees C (preferably 180 degrees C).Preferred Component: The hydrogen storage alloy comprises an AB2 alloy, preferably titanium-manganese (TiMn2) alloy. The hydrogen storage alloy comprises 2-5 at.% zirconium, 26-32 at.% titanium, 7-10 at.% vanadium, 8-20 at.% chromium, 38-42 at.% manganese, and an element comprising 1-6 at.% nickel, 2-6 at.% iron or 0.1-2 at.% aluminum.The hydrogen storage alloy further comprises at most 1 at.% Misch metal. The hydrogen storage alloy comprises 3.63 at.% zirconium, 29.8 at.% titanium, 9.82 at.% vanadium, 9.85 at.% chromium, 39.5 at.% manganese, and an element comprising 2 at.% nickel, 5 at.% iron, 1 at.% aluminum and 0.4 at.% Misch metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The lithium salt is lithium perchlorate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithium hexafluorophosphate or lithium hexafluoroarsenate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The lithium salt is lithium tetrafluoromethane sulfite or lithium trifluoromethane sulfonyl nitride. EXAMPLE - Octamethyl cyclotetra siloxane-tri(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (D4-TEGMP164 (RTM)) (5 g), octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane (1.4 g) and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl disiloxane-1,3-di(propylacrylate) (1.46 g) were charged into a 3-necked flask. Fuming sulfuric acid (0.014 ml) was added dropwise and reacted at 30-35 degreesC for 6 hours. Distilled water (0.03 ml) was added and reacted for 1 hour. Chloroform (1.4 ml) and sodium sulfate saturated aqueous solution were added to the reaction mixture and washed with sodium carbonate aqueous solution (5 wt.%) to neutralize. Anhydrous magnesium sulfate and active carbon were added to the neutralized reaction mixture and stirred for 12 hours and filtered. The resulting filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to produce CTA-0505 (RTM: polyethylene oxide-substituted polysiloxane copolymer crosslinking agent) (4.5 g at a yield of 57.3 %).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The porous support contains at least 2500 pores per square inch and the average diameter of the macropores is 10-400 micron. Mesopores are also present. The porous support comprises a metal oxide, preferably alumina, silica, silica-alumina, titania, zirconia, magnesia or an aluminosilicate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The electroconductive organic polymer is poly pyridine, polyindole, polyphenyl quinoxaline, polyvinyl sulfonic acid or phenolsulfonic-acid novolac resin. The proton exchange film consists of sulfonate of styrene/divinylbenzene copolymer, polyisoprene or polybenzimidazole.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The inorganic redoxable catalyst is chosen from platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, silver, nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum or its oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The fuel cell contains a cathode and an anode arranged on both sides of an electrolyte film. An oxidizing agent is supplied to the cathode with a gas, and a reducer is supplied to the anode with a gas. The electrode contains a catalyst containing electroconductive organic polymer and/or redox functioning group. The fuel cell contains a proton exchange film containing a polymer comprising an acidic radical and a hydrocarbon structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The ammonium cation contains 5-60 mol% of diethyl dimethyl ammonium acid salt. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The tetraalkyl ammonium acid salt is two or more types chosen from triethyl methyl ammonium acid salt, diethyl dimethyl ammonium acid salt, trimethyl ethyl ammonium acid salt, and tetramethyl ammonium acid salt.    EXAMPLE - A tri-ethyl-methyl ammonium tetra fluoroborates (in wt.%) (66), diethyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborates (30), and ethyl trimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborates (4) were dissolved in a propylene carbonate to obtain an electrolytic liquid of 1.8 mol/l. The electrolyte-liquid recycled waste-water quantity was 20 ppm. An activity charcoal powder (in wt.%) (80) having a specific surface area of 1.2 m2/g and a pore peak of 7 Angstrom, acetylene black (10), and polytetrafluoroethylenes (10) were mixed to form a pressurized sheet. The obtained sheet was pierced, and vacuum dried for 12 hours at 200 degrees C, and used as an activated carbon electrode. The above electrode was made to oppose via polyethylene separator and the electrode was stored in a stainless steel case. The obtained electrolyte liquid was impregnated under reduced pressure, and an electrical-double-layer capacitor was obtained. The obtained capacitor had a capacitance deteriorate rate of 10.9%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The carbon material comprises carbon fiber obtained using mesophase pitch raw material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Condition: The oxygenated hydrocarbon is reacted at not more than 400, preferably not more than 300, degreesC, and at a pressure where the water and the oxygenated hydrocarbon remain condensed liquids. The water and the water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon are further reacted in the presence of a water-soluble salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal. The water and the oxygenated hydrocarbon are reacted at a pH of 4-10.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst comprises nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Or) or their alloys or mixtures. It is further alloyed or mixed with a metal selected from Group IB, Group IIB, Group VIIB, Group IVA or Group VA metals. It is further alloyed or mixed with copper, zinc, germanium, tin or bismuth. The catalyst is adhered to a support selected from silica, alumina, zirconia, titania, ceria, carbon, silica-alumina, silica nitride and/or boron nitride. The support can also be surface-modified to remove surface hydrogen or hydroxyl moities. The support is modified by treating it with silanes, alkali compounds or alkaline earth compounds. It is preferably silica modified with trimethylethoxysilane, a zeolite, carbon nanotube, carbon fullerene or nanoporous support. The water-soluble salt is an alkali or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, carbonate, nitrate or chloride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon has 2-12C. It is methanol (preferred), ethanediol, ethanedione, glycerol, glyceraldehyde, aldotetroses, aldopentoses, aldohexoses, ketotetroses, ketopentoses, ketohexoses or alditols, preferably ethylene glycol, glycerol, xylose, glucose, xylitol, sorbitol or sucrose.Preferred Composition: The water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon has a carbon-to-oxygen ratio of 1:1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The filler is made of gold, platinum, graphite, conductive carbon, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium or rare earth metals.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred materials: The polymer matrix is selected from epoxies, polyamide-imides, polyetherimides, polyphenols, fluoroelastomers, polyesters, phenoxy-phenolics, epoxidephenolics, acrylics or urethanes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The chlorohydrin is ethylene chlorohydrin or propylene chlorohydrin. The electrolyte is quaternary ammonium salt or quaternary phosphonium salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Coating Layer: The coating layer comprises polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene fluoride, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide and/or copolymers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Agent: The coupling agent consists of silane, thionate and/or aluminate type coupling agent. The oxygen and water trapping agent comprises fine particle of aluminum, titanium, zirconium, tantalum and/or niobium.Preferred Metals: The metal layer comprises metal or alloy(s) of nickel, titanium, niobium, tungsten and/or zirconium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The shield layered flat cable consists of thermosetting resins selected from polyamide or polyester group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The odorless gas is hydrogen gas. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The furanone derivative is 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone and/or 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone.    EXAMPLE - 5-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone (in wt.%) (50) and n-hexane (50) were dehydrated after stir-mixing to obtain an odorization agent. The obtained odorization agent (0.04 mg) was added to hydrogen gas (100 g). The burnt deposits of the gas had a peculiar smell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Process: The homogenization treatment comprises establishing a melted zone with a temperature up to 100degreesC above the m.pt. of the alloy and moving the melted zone through the alloy at a rate of 1-40 mm/hour. The alloy has a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure.Alloy: Disclosed alloys are vanadium alloys, including titanium-vanadium-manganese and titanium-vanadium-chromium alloys. EXAMPLE - A 1:1:1 mixture of titanium, vanadium and chromium was melted under argon in a vacuum arc furnace and cooled to room temperature. The alloy was placed in a zone refining furnace, evacuated down to 10-4 torr or better, and melted under high-purity argon. The alloy was advanced through the melt zone at a rate of 1-40 mm/hour and cooled at a rate of 5degreesC/minute. This increased the hydrogen absorption capacity by about 20%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Drying is implemented at room temperature to 60 degreesC for 1 minute-1 hour. The polymer electrolyte composition is coated on the first electrode to a thickness of 20-100 mum. The second electrode is attached with the polymer electrolyte layer by applying a pressure of 0.01-100 N/cm2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The polymer electrolyte composition has a viscosity of 1000-50000 cPs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The alcohol fuel is ethanol or methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Catalyst: Catalyst portion (I) contains cobalt, nickel, cobalt aluminate, nickel aluminate, copper, palladium, and/or zinc. Catalyst portion (II) contains rhodium, platinum, ruthenium and/or palladium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The additive further contains 0.01-5% of polyvinyl alcohol, 0.01-2% of polyethylene glycol, 0.01-0.5% of polymethyl acrylate and/or 0.01-2% of lignin. EXAMPLE - A lead storage battery comprising 5% polyvinyl alcohol solution (50 cc) and mixed aqueous solution (10 cc) of tin sulfate and indium sulfate was manufactured. Reduction in capacitance was not observed even when the battery was repeatedly charged and discharged for 10 days.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The temperature increase rate at 400-600degreesC is made lower than the temperature increase rate in another temperature range. The maximum temperature during carbonization baking is 900degreesC or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The polymer having an aromatic ring is reacted with sulfonic acid group (SO3H) which is further halogenated and converted into SO2X group. The polymer with functional group SO2X is reacted with ammonia in the presence of a base to form a polymer having -SO2NH2 group. Preferred Definitions:    RF = fluorine-containing alkyl, preferably -CF3.    EXAMPLE - A styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer film (in weight parts) (95.5) of thickness 50 mum, was dipped in tetrachloroethane at 60 degreesC for 30 minutes and allowed to swell. After cooling the film to room temperature, chlorosulfonic acid (20 volume parts) was added to tetrachloroethane (100) and was made to react for 4 hours. The film was washed with the solvent and the obtained film (1 g) was dipped in 10 wt.% to CF3SO2NH2 acetonitrile solution at 60 degreesC for 7 hours. Further, the film was boiled in 35% hydrochloric acid for 3 hours for protonation. The equivalent weight (EW) of the solid polymer electrolyte film within the flask was 425 g/eq. The proton conductivity of the film having moisture content of 10% was 21 ms/cm. The film had favorable heat resistance. The solid polymer electrolyte film was used to form a fuel cell. The fuel cell had an output voltage of 0.52V at a current density of 1 A/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The adhesion resin layer comprises at least one acid modified polypropylene resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The borohydride fuel is stored in a porous pad or is stored in a reservoir. The stainless steel anode includes porous element. The power generator further comprises ion exchange membrane. The transition metal cathode comprises silver oxide cathode. The anode comprises a stainless steel anode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Components: The display provides a visible indication of the borohydride concentration based on the voltage bias between the stainless steel anode and cathode. The display comprises liquid crystal display.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: A control unit is also provided to vary the flat electrochromic element in its color and/or transparency utilizing the electrical energy obtained by the cell. A energy storage unit is used to store the electrical energy obtained by the solar cell and the energy is used to control the electrochromic element. The solar cell and the electrochromic element are connected using electrical lines (4) made from indium-tin oxide. The electrochromic element is made from tungsten trioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The introducing steps further comprise adjusting the equivalence ratio of the feed stream such that the temperature of the corresponding reactor resulting from the adiabatic temperature rise will not exceed a maximum operating temperature of the particular reactor. The equivalence ratio is adjusted by adjusting the fuel stream or air stream. The method further comprises introducing a steam stream into a primary reactor along with the fuel stream and the first air stream to form a first feed stream which is rich in fuel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The hydrogen driven process comprises hydriding dehydriding (HD), hydriding, dehydriding, disproportionation, and recombination (HDDR), dehydriding, disproportionation, recombination (DDR), or a DR process. The HD process comprises hydriding a metal capable of forming a reversible metal hydride to partially convert the metal to metal hydride; dehydriding the metal hydride to re-form the metal; and alternately hydriding the metal and dehydriding the resulting metal hydride to physically reduce the metal to a microscale metal. The metal alloy powder is partially oxidized to form a nano-composite material. Hydriding is carried out in the presence of a metal oxide component, or a metal fluoride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The metal oxide component comprises tin oxide, tin dioxide, a transition metal oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium, or aluminum oxide. The metal fluoride is tin fluoride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The catalyst is selected from any one of metals such as platinum, rhodium, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, rhenium and tungsten.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The catalyst holder material is selected from any one of carbon fiber, activated carbon, alumina, silica, zeolite and mesoporous material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte liquid mixes ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate and/or diethyl carbonate. The separator is paper which comprises cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives. Lithium manganate further comprises a vanadium compound such as vanadium penta oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The inner case includes a hermetically sealable chamber for receiving thermal insulation (32). The hermetically sealable chamber is formed with heat-sealable polymeric barrier film including a surface metal film. A second preventative agent is disposed between the inner and outer cases.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The preventative agent may be thermal insulation. The thermal insulation is a gas having a high molecular weight, preferably argon or xenon. It may be a high porous, low-density, high temperature-resistant material, preferably aerogel at atmospheric pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The preventative agent is a fuel neutralizing agent (24). The fuel neutralizing agent is aldehyde with carbonyl reducing groups when the fuel is sodium borohydride. It is ketone, ester, aldehyde, or carboxide when the fuel is alumino hydride. The second preventative agent is a foaming agent (64), a fire/reaction retardant (66), a gelling agent (68), or an adsorbent (70). The fuel neutralizing agent and the second preventative agent are integrally blended.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: A portion of a surface of the nickel hydroxide in the positive electrode is coated with the hydroxide and/or the oxide of calcium, strontium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanoid, or bismuth. Terbium hydroxide and/or terbium oxide is added to the negative electrode. The positive electrode is a sintered nickel electrode. An amount of the hydroxide and/or the oxide of calcium, strontium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanoid, or bismuth contained in the positive electrode based on the total amount of nickel hydroxide and the hydroxide and/or oxide is 0.5-5 wt.%. An amount of the hydroxide and/or the oxide of scandium, yttrium, or lanthanoid contained in the negative electrode based on the hydrogen absorbing alloy is 0.05-3 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metal is aluminum, nickel, iron, cobalt and rare earth metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ceramics: The ceramics in hydrogen separated layer contains oxides of zirconium and silica. Preferred Layer: The intermediate layer contains alpha-alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Binder: The filler contains graphite and an electroconductive carbon fiber. The resin binder consists of a thermoplastic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The heat-treated metal grid comprises (wt.%) lead (at least 98.5), tin (at least 1.5), and/or calcium (at least 0.08).Preferred Component: The heat-treated metal grid prior to heat-treating is comprised of expanded metal. The paste further includes lead oxides, water, and/or sulfuric acid. The interconnected grain structure is a recrystallized interconnected grain structure.Preferred Condition: The paste coated grid is heated at 35-75 degrees C, and 10-90% humidity for a time sufficient to cure paste into the surface of grid prior to heat-treating grid. The heat-treated metal grid assembled into a cell according to test J-240 conducted at 75 degrees C, has expiration time of at least 2000 cycles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The heat-treated grid is assembled into electrochemical cell having negative electrode and sulfuric acid containing electrolyte. The electric current is passed through a cell so that portion of paste is converted into lead dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The complex compound is produced by removing unnecessary salt after neutralizing aqueous solution obtained, by dissolving polyvinyl alcohol and zirconium salt or oxyzirconium salt in water, by alkali and removing the water used as solvent. The heating treatment is carried out at not less than 100 degreesC. The complex compound is subjected to an immersing treatment under an acid or an alkali solution.Preferred Parameter: The ratio of zirconic acid compound weight converted into zirconium oxide weight to the polyvinyl alcohol weight, is not less than 0.01, preferably at most 0.07.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The high ion conductive solid electrolyte includes aluminum, silicon, boron, phosphorus, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, tin, calcium, strontium, and/or barium compound. The aqueous solution having the zirconium salt or the oxyzirconium salt includes aluminum salt, titanium salt, calcium salt, strontium salt, barium salt, and/or boric acid. The alkali for neutralizing the aqueous solution includes an alkali metal salt(s) from silicic acid, boric acid, phosphoric acid, tungstic acid, molybdic acid, or stannic acid. The produced complex compound includes aluminum, silicon, boron, phosphorus, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, tin, calcium, strontium, or barium compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The electrolyte is thermally polymerized to be gelated by adding a polymerizable compound containing a compound containing an acryloyl group (CH2=CHCO-O-) or a methacryloyl group (CH2=C(CH3)CO-O-). EXAMPLE - A lead was attached to a positive electrode plate produced by mixing lithium cobalt oxide with lithium manganese oxide at a ratio of 80/20 and a lead was attached to a negative electrode plate. The electrode plates were wound through a propylene separator to produce an electrode body. An electrolyte solution was prepared by using a mixture of solvent containing 25 vol.% EC, 5 vol.% PC, and 70 vol.% diethyl carbonate at a volume ratio of 25:25:50, and polypropylene glycol diacrylate of formula CH2=CHCO-O-(CH(CH3)-CH2-O)n-COCH=CH2, 5000 ppm of t-hexyl peroxypivalate was added. The mixture was injected onto an outer package that was sealed and heated at 60degreesC for 3 hours to cure the solution. The battery was evaluated and passed a 2lt overcharge test, 150degreesC thermal charge test and 80degreesC, 4-day preservation after charge. The battery also had an 86% at 60degreesC cycle characteristic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell metallic separator comprises a rib portion made of a seal material and formed around the communication port provided in the resin portion through injection molding.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The resin portion is made of a thermoplastic or a thermosetting resin. It is made of a polyphenylene sulfide or a liquid crystal polymer. It is made of a phenolic resin or an epoxy resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The controller determines the moisture content of measurement gas as a function of a value of current produced by the electrochemical cell when the voltage of electrochemical cell is controlled to a given voltage value. The controller determines the moisture content of measurement gas as a function of a value of voltage of the electrochemical cell when the current produced by electrochemical cell is controlled to a given current value.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The measurement and reference gases are hydrogen gas or air.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The possible material for the casting compound guide elements include PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile and polycarbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: A compound having light absorption bands in a wavelength of approximately 300 to approximately 1000 nm is distributed on an oxide semiconductor. It is irradiated with light to produce an oxidized form of the compound and an electron. The electron is introduced into the external electric circuit through the oxide semiconductor.Preferred Component: The positive electrode is an oxygen electrode that reduces oxygen in the air or electrolyte.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The electron is supplied to the oxidized photosensitizer by a reaction effected in the presence of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide in oxidized and reduced forms (NADH)/(NAD+) as an oxidation-reduction mediator, and a reaction of D-glucose as a carbon-containing compound in the presence of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide in oxidized and reduced forms (NADH)/(NAD+) as an oxidation-reduction mediator and at minimum D-glucose dehydrogenase as an enzyme system.Preferred Component: The photosensitizer compound that produces an oxidant and an electron when irradiated with light is a dye having the structure of a porphyrin or related cyclic tetrapyrrole represented by porphyrin P1. The carbon-containing compound is D-glucose-6-phosphate, methyl alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. The oxidation-reduction mediator is nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate in oxidized and reduced forms (NADPH)/(NADP+). The enzyme system contains at minimum D-glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH) and/or 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGDH). It contains at minimum an alcohol dehydrogenase, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, and/or formate dehydrogenase.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The low-thermal conductivity insert(s) is present in the top plunger and the bottom plunger. It is bonded to the plunger(s) with an adhesive.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The low-thermal conductivity insert is a ceramic consisting of alumina, alumina silicate, glass, zirconia, or boron nitride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The adhesive is a fast cure adhesive. Preferred Method: The first and second electrocatalyst coating composition is coated on opposite sides of the polymer membrane to form a catalyst-coated membrane. Preferred Parameter: The catalyst coated membrane and the first and second gas diffusion backings having sealing edges are all the same size. The catalyst-coated membrane is longer than the first and second gas diffusion backings having sealing edges. Preferred Component: The sealing polymer comprises a thermoplastic polymer. It comprises a thermosetting or curable-resin polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: At least about 80% of primary particle of tightly agglomerated composition, are with in 2.25 dN1/3 nm of at least 80% of other constituent primary particles. At least 50% of the constituent primary particles of the composition have size not deviating by more than a factor of 2 from the average size of its constituent particles, and at least 90% of constituent primary particles of the composition have size non-deviating by more than a factor of 4 from the average size of its primary particles. The primary agglomerated composition has specific surface area of 1-70 m2/g. The non-oxide powder has primary particle purity of less than 10000, preferably less than 50 parts/million by mass, based on metal contaminant.Preferred Material: The primary particles are chosen from metals, valve metals, intermetallics, refractory metal, metal matrix composite, ceramic and non-metals.Preferred Composition: The tightly agglomerated composition further comprises secondary material within which the primary particles are encapsulated. The powder has encapsulation efficiency of 10-99 mass%, preferably 70-99 mass%. The secondary material is salt or polymer. The non-oxide powder preferably contains at least 75 mass% of tightly agglomerated composition. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The primary particles are tantalum, niobium, carbon or boron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compositions: The sulfonated block copolymer comprises 5-60 or at least20 wt.% polystyrene monomer that is converted to styrene sulfonic acid in the sulfonated block copolymer.Preferred Components: The semipermeable membrane further comprises an additive, which can be polymers, chemical stabilizers, bio-active species, and/or metals. The chemical stabilizer is anti-oxidant. The bio-active species is an antiseptic. A proton of the sulfonic acid is replaced with an (in)organic cation. The substrate is a fabric.Preferred Materials: The membrane is fabricated by casting from a solvent, spray coating, melt processing, or roll casting.Preferred Parameters: The membrane has thickness of at most5 (preferably 0.05-2) mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The cyclic carboxylate ester is gamma-butyrolactone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The non-aqueous solvent has propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, sulfolane, 3-methyl sulfolane, dimethyl carbonate, ethylmethyl carbonate and/or diethyl carbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The electrolyte salt is quaternary ammonium salt and/or quaternary phosphonium salt of formula (I).Q+X- (I)Q+ = quaternary ammonium or phosphonium group;X- = PF6-, BF4-, AsF6-, SbF6-, N(RfSO3)2-, C(RfSO3)3-; andRf = 1-12C fluoroalkyl group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Elements: The composite covering layer comprises 1-20 mg/m2 aminated phenolic polymer, 0.5-50 mg/m2 chromium compound and 0.5-5 mg/m2 phosphorus compound. Before applying the coating, the surface is subjected to alkaline degreasing and/or pickling. EXAMPLE - A battery was made with a copper terminal (a) and an aluminum terminal (b), both 4 mm wide and 100 mum thick. Terminal (a) was degreased with alkali and rinsed with water, then pickled with chromate and rinsed with water again. Both terminals were given a composite coating, comprising (a) 10, (b) 10.0 mg/m2 aminated phenolic polymer, (a) 5, (b) 2.0 mg/m2 chromium compound and (a) 1, (b) 1.5 mg/m2 phosphorus compound. These terminals were fitted to a battery, which was then placed in a casing, filled with 5 g electrolyte, comprising 1 mole lithium phosphate hexafluoride in ethylene carbonate : diethyl carbonate : dimethyl carbonate in 1:1:1 ratio, and sealed. In storage tests for 30 days at 85degreesC, with the terminal at the bottom, the seal was satisfactory and there were no leaks at either terminal. In batteries with untreated copper terminals, there were leaks from these terminals in 30 of 50 test objects.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The electrolyte additive could be lithium hydroxide, or aluminum, silicon, boron compound. The electrode additive could be calcium, titanium, tin or lanthanide group element hydroxide or oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The catalytic groups are incorporated within separate compounds bound to a support structure. The support structure is a porous framework. Ferrocene groups are coated to the surface of an electrode substrate as part of a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating is a conducting electroactive polymer containing anionic ferrocenes as counter ions. The ferrocene groups include reactive substituents which allow the incorporation of the groups as monomers into a polymer which is dynamically attached to an underlying support. A polypyrrole-ferrocene monosulfate is of formula (IV; n is greater than 2), or its optionally substituted ferrocene analogs.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Assay: Assay uses kinetic studies to determine whether the observed catalysis occurs as a result of the interaction of catalytic groups with a reagent or intermediate, and whether the catalysis mechanism involves the simultaneous interaction of two or more separate catalytic groups with a reagent or intermediate; and whether the interaction of two or more separate catalytic groups with the reagent or intermediate largely occurs when catalyst is formed or used under conditions which favorably influence the statistical distribution of proximities between the catalytic groups involves.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The proton conductivity gel comprises material selected from silica, alumina, titanium dioxide, vanadium oxide, zirconia, and material selected from phosphoric acid, perchloric acid, boric acid and silicic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The non-aqueous solvent is propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, sulfolane, 3-methyl sulfolane, dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate or diethyl carbonate.Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte is a quaternary ammonium salt and/or a quaternary phosphonium salt of formula (I).Q+X- (I)Q+ = quaternary ammonium or phosphonium group;X- = counter ion selected from PF6-, BF4-, ClO4-, AsF6-, SbF6-, N(RfSO3)2- or C(RfSO3)3-; andRf = 1-12C fluoroalkyl group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Preferably the iron content of the electrolyte is less than 200 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The electrolyte salt is quaternary ammonium salt and/or quaternary phosphonium salt of formula (I).Q+X- (I)Q+ = quaternary ammonium and/or phosphonium group;X- = PF6-, BF4-, AsF6-, SbF6-, N(RfSO3)2-, C(RfSO3)3-; andRf = 1-12C fluoroalkyl group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The non-aqueous solvent contains propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, sulfolane, 3-methyl sulfolane, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate and/or ethyl methyl carbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The purge gas flow is continued until the oxygen level in the sampled supply falls below a pre-determined safe threshold.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Absorbent: Structural unit has a carboxyl group and/or a sulfonate group in an amount of 40-100 weight% in its molecule and in which 50-100 mol% of the protons are replaced by a quaternary ammonium ion. Absorbent has an absorbancy for propylenecarbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, ethanol or methanol of 10-1000 g/g. Organic solvent in gel is an alcohol, glycol, carbonate, ketone, ether, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbyl, carboxylic acid ester, lactone or lactam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The resin includes a conductive particle which is a highly crystalline particle.Preferred Method: The melted thermoplastic resin is introduced with an air, expanded to be a balloon shape, extended to be membranous and pressed to mold the resin sheet or to mold a sheet-shaped thermoplastic resin substrate, supplied with the conductive particle and rolled.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: A fluid passage groove (14a, 15a) is defined on a surface of one of the two conductive sheets, which is opposed to an adhered surface of the one, by pushing a mold possessing a reverse pattern of the groove.Preferred Component: At least one of the two conductive sheets contains a compressive conductive material of which volume is reduced by applying pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The compressive conductive material is an expanded graphite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The power electronic device is formed of over-posed layers including a solid state switch, and interfaces between the layers are thermally matched to limit the differential expansion during operation of the solid state switch. The over-posed layers include a substrate on which the solid state switch is disposed. The interface place consists of aluminum silicon carbide. The layers include a substrate layer bonded to the interface plate. The substrate layer comprises ceramic layer direct bonded to a copper layer. The power electronics device is part of a subassembly joined to the support and interfacing directly with the internal fluid conduit. The subassembly is joined to the support by welding. The power electronics device includes bonding layers thermally matched to adjacent device layers to reduce differential thermal expansion during operation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The oxygen-containing-hydrocarbon is selected from a group consisting of methanol, dimethyl ether and ethanol. The nuclear reactor is preferably a fast breeder reactor. Steam extraction is performed at 250-350degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The substrate is an electrically conductive wire, preferably steel, iron or nickel, and is moved through one or more deposition chambers. The nanocarbons are grown in a continuous or semi-continuous manner, preferably using chemical vapor deposition at 500-700degreesC to coat the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The noble metal free grid further comprises calcium and/or tin.Preferred Composition: The coating comprises at least 90 wt.% alpha-lead dioxide or beta-lead dioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A cross-section of the electrode taken perpendicular to the surface of the coating comprises a continuous interface at the boundary between the coating and grid.Preferred Property: The coating has an effective surface area greater than the geometric grid surface area by more than 60 area%. It covers in excess of 99 area% of the geometric surface area of the grid. It has an average thickness of at least 5 or at most 500, preferably at most 50 microns; and a density of greater than 8.5 g/cm3. The continuous interface is continuous on average at least 5 or at least 15 microns at 80 times magnification. The coating has a percent void area at an interface between the coating and grid of less than 50 or less than 10 area% of the total area of the interface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The positive electrode is a sintered nickel electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The negative electrode comprises germanium hydroxide and/or germanium oxide. A surface portion of nickel hydroxide in the positive electrode is coated with the hydroxide and/or oxide of calcium, strontium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanoid, or bismuth, preferably with yttrium hydroxide and/or yttrium oxide present at 0.5-5 wt.% based on the total amount of nickel hydroxide.Preferred Composition: The negative electrode contains germanium at 0.01-2 wt.% based on the hydrogen absorbing alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The pressurizing chamber is bounded by the cathode which comprises a hydrogen-selective gas impermeable cathodic membrane having a face in contact with and bounding the electrolyte.The anodic chamber is provided with catalytic mechanism for reacting a gaseous or gasified fuel with steam and/or a source of oxygen to provide the relatively low pressure hydrogen.The porous cathode comprises a metallic screen, foam, felt, nonwoven fabric, or a sintered metal.The pressurizing chamber is provided with a steam supply mechanism.The electrolyte is immobilized in a porous matrix.The cathode is provided with an overvoltage-reducing mechanism.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The membrane comprises palladium or a palladium alloy.The cathode comprises high surface area palladium, platinum or nickel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The matrix is made of zirconia or alumina with a thickness of 5-50 mils.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Fuel Cell: The fuel cell is a solid oxide type fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polymer film contains perfluoro carbon sulfonic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The inert gas is nitrogen gas or argon gas and the activated charcoal is activated charcoal fiber cloth.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The non-graphite carbon material is hard carbon. The secondary battery is lithium secondary battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The ceramic powder comprises zirconium oxide as a main component and components chosen from yttrium oxide, calcium oxide, aluminum oxide and titanium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The electrodes may optionally be adapted to parallel or concentric assemblies of equal surface area.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The maintaining step includes maintaining the region of effervescence at 1 cm above the precipitate. The sodium hydroxide concentration is caused to oscillate equal amounts up and down. The reacting step includes addition step or retaining the aluminum on a floating screen. An amount of sodium hydroxide in the vessel is maintained constantly, and water and aluminum are added to the vessel according to the rate of consumption of aluminum and the water in the step of reacting. Water is added at 4-170 (preferably 75)degreesC, and in sequence, with the aluminum being added first.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compositions: The aqueous solution contains 1.2-19 (preferably 5-10) M sodium hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - The LEDs are supplied by a battery and/or solar cell arrangement and activated by a wireless system, individually or together.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The metal hydride has a nano-crystalline structure. The hydrogen is chemically bonded to the lithium and calcium. Preferred Property: The metal hydride has a crystal size of less than 100 nm and a maximum hydrogen storage capacity of at least6.75 wt.%.Preferred Method: Lithium is placed in the bottom of the crucible. Calcium is placed on top of lithium. Lithium and calcium are heated to slightly higher than 839degreesC, in an argon atmosphere using an induction furnace which operates at 10,000 Hz. They are maintained at above 300degreesC for ca. 10 minutes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The crucible comprises stainless steel or magnesium oxide.Preferred Parameter: A maximum hydrogen storage capacity of alloy is achieved in 24, preferably 5 hours at 150, preferably 1000 pounds/square inch (gauge).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The hydrogen fuel providing apparatus comprises a fuel cell providing an electrical current in response to a hydrogen stream, an oxygen stream and an electrolyte stream.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - A rubber membrane with pre-compressed edge bead, is employed as a first spring.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The organic-type capacitor material comprises a p-type conductive polymer(s) or N-type conductive polymer(s).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The compound material comprises an active material which carries out occlusion discharge of lithium ion. The active material contains lithium containing complex oxide(s) or carbon material. The capacitor material is an activated carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Porous film of the separator contains polyolefin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The separator is formed by press casting, transfer molding or injection molding.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The catalyst for methane decomposition has nickel and a zirconium oxide. The unfixed ratio metallic oxide is at least one type of cerium oxide, complex oxide of cerium and a zirconium, an iron oxide, a tungstic acid compound, and an indium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Enzyme: The oxidoreductase enzyme is also capable or causing an acidification of the cathode compartment. It is galactose oxidase, glucose oxidase, pyruvate oxidase, glutamate oxidase or an alcohol oxidase. Most preferably it is glucose oxidase. The enzyme may also be used in the anode compartment to catalyze the oxidation of the fuel and the acidification of the anode compartment. In this case, it is a hydrogenase, glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase or an alcohol oxidase. Most preferably it is glucose oxidase and the fuel is glucose. The cell may be a gaseous diffusion type or may function in a aqueous medium. The enzyme may be introduced in a continuous or discontinuous manner into the compartments or be adsorbed onto the anode and/or cathode. When the cell is aqueous, the enzyme may be introduced directly into the aqueous medium of the compartments during cell assembly. EXAMPLE - A cell functioning in an aqueous medium with a platinum grille anode and stainless steel plate cathode, and fed with water flows saturated with hydrogen to the anode and with oxygen to the cathode, was fed with glucose and glucose oxidase to the cathode compartment. With glucose concentration 24.4 mM and glucose oxidase concentration 2.0 U/ml, the power was increased by 280, 260, 170 and 70 times for resistance values 1 Ohm, 10 Ohms, 100 Ohms and 1000 Ohms, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ion Conductor: The ion conductor comprises a component of carbon cluster and tubular or linear carbon structures having proton releasing groups introduced therein. The proton releasing group is -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H, -OPO(OH)2 and -C6H4-SO3H.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The nonflammable fluid is a fluid that is inert to fuel. It is preferably water and nitrogen gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The burner burns a hydrocarbon fuel at a lean air-fuel ratio to produce the lean combustion gas; and the controller supplies an amount of nonflammable fluid from the nonflammable fluid supply apparatus to the reformer, which is at least 2.0 molar ratio relative to the number of carbon in the lean combustion gas. The nonflammable fluid supply apparatus is a supply apparatus, which supplies the nonflammable fluid upstream of the reformer, or between the reforming reactor and the CO reduction system. The reformer comprises a reforming reactor, which reforms rich raw fuel gas, and a carbon monoxide (CO) reduction system, which reduces the CO concentration in the reformate gas. The controller stops the supply of lean combustion gas from the burner to the reformer, after starting supply of the nonflammable fluid from the nonflammable fluid supply apparatus to the reformer, and starts the supply of nonflammable fluid from the nonflammable fluid supply apparatus to the reformer, after stopping the supply of the lean combustion gas. The fuel reforming system comprises a sensor (18, 19, 20), which detects the outlet temperature of the reforming system, where the controller determines completion of warm-up of the reforming system, based on the outlet temperature of the reforming system; and a hydrogen storage mechanism, which stores hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell during the warm-up operation of the fuel reforming system, where the nonflammable fluid supply apparatus supplies a cathode discharge gas discharged, from the fuel cell after power generation to the reformer, as the nonflammable fluid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The biological catalyst comprises photosynthetic or lithotrophic bacteria, and organotrophic cells. The energy source comprises light, organic compounds or molecular hydrogen. Preferred Method: The method further comprises supplementing the anolyte with an energy source that can be used by the biological catalyst; and determining the concentration of the test compound in the sample.Detection of the presence of a specific organic or inorganic test compound in a sample comprises:(a) providing biosensor comprising electrochemical fuel cell system;(b) placing an anolyte in the anode compartment;(c) placing a catholyte in the cathode compartment;(d) allowing oxidation of a portion of any test compound present in the sample and reduction of a portion of oxidized neutral red;(e) allowing the transfer of electrons from reduced neutral red to the cathode;(f) detecting the generation of an electrical current; and(g) determining the concentration of the test compound in the sample.Measuring the chemical oxygen demand in waste water, comprises:(a) providing an electrochemical fuel system;(b) placing an anolyte in the anode compartment;(c) placing a catholyte in the cathode compartment;(d) allowing the neutral red-mediated converison of chemical reducing power to electricity; and(e) measuring the electrical current generated by the fuel cell system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The electrochemical cell is a fuel cell. Atmospheric air containing oxygen is in communication with the second of the electrodes (16, 20). With chemical conversion of the fluid at the first electrode to provide current flow, oxygen is consumed at the second electrode where water is produced. The dispensing mechanism comprises a pump (34, 134) for dispensing fluid from the reservoir (10, 110). The reservoir has an outlet and a passageway for a passage of fluid from the outlet of the reservoir to the inlet of the pump. The reservoir is a collapsible reservoir which collapses as fuel is dispensed. The electrochemical cell is an electrolytic battery. The electrolyte (18) is a protonic exchange membrane having a solid polymer in which protons are mobile. The fuel cell is an alkaline electrolyte fuel cell or an acid electrolyte fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The fluid (11, 111) comprises an alcohol compound which comprises the fuel for the cell. The alcohol compound is methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, or benzyl alcohol. The alcohol compound is present in at least 20 vol.% of the fluid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The process also involves controlling the flow rate of methanol into a fuel mixer. The infrared light, preferably narrow band infrared light, is transmitted through a thin interference layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reference liquid is a fixed known concentration of methanol in water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Material: The separator is made of paper. It is made of cellulose or cellulose derivative.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The drying treatment is heat treatment, preferably dielectric heat treatment. The dielectric heat treatment is high frequency heat treatment or microwave heat treatment. The dielectric heat treatment is performed by applying high frequency or microwave to the positive electrode plate or negative electrode plate after the wound type electrode body is housed in the battery case and before the non-aqueous electrolyte is injected. The drying treatment is performed with the wound type electrode body wound, housed in the battery case. An inside of the battery case is subjected to decompression processing through the opening, when drying treatment is performed. Decompression processing is followed by injection of the non-aqueous electrolyte into the battery case. The opening(s), which is an inlet of the non-aqueous electrolyte, is sealed with a sealer provided with a pressure-releasing hole.Preferred Property: The battery capacity is at least 2 Ah.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Active Material: The active material is a manganese phosphate containing an amorphous component.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The polymer or surfactant may be a polyanionic polymer such as DNA.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The polymer or surfactant may be an anionic organic compound such as sodium dodecyl sulfate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The inner chamber retains a second material reactive to the electrolyte. The apertures allow charge and ion migration between the electrolyte and the second reactive material. The plates are joined at peripheral edges (34a-34d) to provide a peripheral seal between the plates. The apertures are defined by bent tabs (38) or perforations. They provide at least 5% open area in the plates. A perforated grid(s) is also provided within the chamber.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The reactive material comprises lead, lead alloy or lead material. The second reactive material comprises a lead-based compound. It may be a mixture of lead oxide, glass fibers, and sodium perborate; or a mixture of sulfates, hydroxides, free lead, carbonates, and binding agent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The substrate is a woven or nonwoven polyolefin fabric. The hydrophilic porous film comprises polyolefins, polyamides, or polyesters.Preferred Parameters: The pores of hydrophilic porous film have a diameter of 1-50 (10-30) micrometers. The substrate has a thickness of less than 150 (60-120) micrometers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: In the first surface of the first and second silicon substrates, porous silicon regions (32, 56) are formed overlying the gas delivery tunnels. The porous silicon regions and the gas delivery tunnels are formed by an electrochemical etch technique. A first and a second porous gas diffusion layer are formed on the first surface of the first and second silicon substrates, respectively. The first and second catalyst layers are formed on the first and second porous gas diffusion layers, respectively.Preferred Property: The porous gas diffusion layer is electrically conductive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The mixer comprises a manifold which collects gas from the reforming reactor, a pre-mixer into which gas is led via the manifold, a water injection device which injects water into the gas led into the pre-mixer, and a communicating passage which leads the mixture of water injected from the water injection device and the gas into the shift reactor. The system further comprises a sensor which measures the temperature of the pre-mixer, and a controller to estimate the temperature of the pre-mixer based on the water amount to be injected from the water injection device and increase the water injection amount from the water injection device when the measured pre-mixer temperature is higher than the estimated pre-mixer temperature. It comprises an electrical heater which heats gas introduced to the pre-mixer. A water collection chamber which collects water not vaporized in the pre-mixer is installed midway in the communicating passage. A porous body which traps water not vaporized by the pre-mixer is installed in the communicating passage. The porous body is a mass of fine metal wire or a foam material comprising small holes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The positive external terminal is made of aluminum or alloy of aluminum, and negative external terminal is made of copper, nickel or alloy of copper, nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: Layer (14) contains nickel-phosphorus alloy containing 0.02-10 wt.% of phosphorus. The thickness of layer (12) is more than the thickness of layer (14). The base material is stainless steel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The many fuel cell unit cells receive a supply of liquid fuel from the storage part. The electrolyte layer is composed of a continuous integrated electrolyte layer or an insulation layer may be included. The many fuel cell unit cells are connected electrically in series. The liquid fuel storage part has an air-liquid separation hole including an air-liquid separation film. This film is a water-repellent treated fluoro resin film or a water-repellent treated laminated composite of a porous fluoro resin film and another vapor permeable material. The negative electrode contains a binder containing no fluorine and having no ion exchange properties. The binder is thermoplastic binder selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, ionomer, butyl rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer and/or ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer. The particle size of the binder is 0.01-100 microns. EXAMPLE - An anode is produced from 50 weight parts ketchen black, 10 weight parts carbon on which platinum particle are supported, 75 parts proton conductive film (Nafion), 10 weight parts PTFE emulsion as fluoro resin binder, and 5 weight parts water. A negative electrode is produced from 50 weight parts ketchen black, 10 weight parts carbon on which platinum-ruthenium alloy is supported, 75 weight parts Nafion, 5 weight parts polyethylene powder, and 10 weight parts water. The electrolyte layer is sandwiched between the electrodes using Nafion 117.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The process which expands the particles is performed by drying or heating at at most 200 degreesC in an atmosphere including water vapor, or by stirring under moist conditions and drying or heating. The metal oxide is of formula (I)(Ln1-xAx)(B1-yFey)O3 (I)Ln = lanthanum (La) and/or a lanthanide;A = calcium (Ca) and/or barium (Ba), preferably strontium (Sr);B = titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co) and/or magnesium (Mg), preferably gallium (Ga);x is 0-1; andy = 0-1.A mixed powder containing a lanthanum oxide, an iron oxide as required and a boron oxide and/or salt but containing no oxide and/or salt of metal A is produced, and a mixed powder of iron oxide as required and the oxide and/or salt of metal A and containing no lanthanum oxide and no oxide and/or salt of metal B is produced. These powders are calcined and mixed in a fixed ratio. Specifically, Ln is lanthanum, A is strontium and B is gallium or titanium. EXAMPLE - Production of the raw material powder comprises introducing La2O3 (23.13g), SrCO3 (8.98g), Ga2O3 (11.41g) and Fe2O3 (6.48g) into a resin pot and mixing for 5 hours, transferring to an alumina crucible and calcining for 3 hours at 1,000 degreesC, introducing to a resin pot and grinding for 30 minutes, and exposing to atmosphere containing water vapor to expand the particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The high temperature fuel cell is a solid oxide fuel cell. The energy recovery mechanism comprises a gas turbine, a free-spooling turbocharger, or a reciprocating heat engine such as Stirling engine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Process: In the catalyst substrate, each body is a wire braid. The body is metal, especially steel. Each sieve is hard soldered, brazed or welded to the walls of the main channel (1).Preferred Components: The catalyst is a noble metal, especially palladium, platinum and/or ruthenium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalyst is copper-based, especially a copper oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: Pre-heating is provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gels: Molecular chains of the phosphoric acid salt particularly contains divalent metal ion which can be Ca2+, Mg2+ or/and Zn2+. Such molecular chains of the phosphoric acid salt may also contain sulfone group. The dispersed phase especially contains molecular chains of the phosphoric acid salt in liner or cyclic structure, with the molecular chains of the phosphoric acid salt being 30-75, particularly 40-70, especially 50-60, mol.%, as calculated by P2O5 conversion for phosphoric acid.Preferred Proton-gel Production: During the gelation step, the proton-conductive gel is mixed with other proton-conductive compositions. EXAMPLE - Calcium carbonate and orthophosphoric acid (50 mol.%) mixture (30 g) was dried at 100degreesC for 24 hours, then blended with some platinum sol for heating at 135degreesC for 30 minutes to a molten state. After cooling, the resultant glass of calcium phosphate was powdered (maximum particle size at not more than 10 microns). The powder (2 g) was then stirred with water (2 ml) at room temperature for 3 days to give a viscous proton-conductive gel. Properties of such gel and subsequently formed proton conductor were evaluated, with satisfactory results.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The treatment step is carried out under inert atmosphere. The intermetallic lithium/transition metal pnictide phase is obtained by treating the blend at 800-1000 degrees C. The blend is submitted to a quenching step carried out by cooling the blend at less than 10, preferably more than -210 degrees C under water or liquid nitrogen.Preferred Component: The intermetallic lithium/transition metal pnictide phase is of formula (1). The blend also comprises elemental phosphorus or arsenic.LixMyPn4 (1)M = metal of columns IVa and Va of the periodic table, preferably Ti, V, Nb, or Ta;Pn = pnictogene element consisting of N, P, As, or Sb;x = 2-11; andy = 0.2-2.2, most preferably 0.7-1.3.Preferred Composition: The molar ratio of lithium to pnictogene element is 2:4-11:4. The molar ratio of the transition metal to pnictogene element is 0.2:4-2.2:4.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metal portion comprises at least one metal selected from iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, copper, aluminum and lead, preferably at least one selected from chromium, nickel, iron and cobalt. The insulating oxide layer comprises amorphous glass, at least one component selected from silicon, boron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, aluminum, calcium, barium, titanium, yttrium, chromium, nickel and zirconium, and at least one component selected from polyolefin, polyether, polyacetal and polycarbonate.Preferred Solute: The solute comprises alkali metal hydroxide.Preferred Solvent: The solvent comprises water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The module case is made of a polyolefin, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polyparaphenylene sulfide, a polyimide, a polyamide or a polymer alloy containing such polymers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Apparatus: The hydrogen storage apparatus contains a binder (preferably a fluororesin) which binds the porous carbon material and the hydrogen occlusion alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Insulator: The insulator is selected from group consisting of alumina, zirconia, titania, magnesia and calcia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is made from an elastomer, preferably ethylene-propylene-diene monomer, fluorine rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, silicone or epoxy resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Features: The sealing element extends over an external edge (11) of a front surface of an external cell separating plate (1) and over an external edge (26) of a front surface of an external separating plate (4) to hold the composite in a clamp-like manner.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrode layer has a polymer electrolyte and catalyst particles formed in a surface of carbon particle. The reinforcing member comprises a sheet having permeability to gases and electronic conductivity.The fuel cell also includes a separator for cooling; current collecting plates arranged on respective outer surface sides of the end side separators; end plates arranged on respective outer surface sides of the collecting plates; and fastening members that integrally sandwich the stacked body and the current collecting plates through the end plates.The separator includes a passage for gas and water; supply ports for the gas and water provided to communicate with the passage and to pass through the member; and exhaust ports for the gas and water for communicating with the passage and to pass through the member. The sealing member is provided on outer peripheries of the supply and exhaust ports.Preferred Material: The sheet comprises a porous carbon sheet, felt, or film paper.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sealing member comprises chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, fluorocarbon, isobutylene rubber, acrylonitrile rubber, or acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The alkali metal salt is lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium oxide, sodium oxide and/or potassium oxide. The alkaline earth metal salt is calcium carbonate and/or calcium oxide.Preferred Material: The anode active material is lithium manganate. The cathode active material is high carbon graphite material or a hard carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The thermosetting resin skin layer contains thermosetting-type phenol resin and/or thermosetting-type acrylic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The separator comprises polyester micro fibres, preferably 92% glass micro fibres and 8% polyester micro fibres.Preferred Property: The polyester micro fibres have a thickness of 0.5 - 2.0 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The gap in the case excluding the cells is filled with a plastic resin portion. The plastic resin portion has an indent portion corresponding to the opening portion. The plastic resin is selected from epoxy, urethane, nylon and/or olefin series resin. The convex shaped jig allows the plastic resin to be charged to fill the gaps.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The synthetic polymer material includes a stabilizing polymer(s), and mixture of block copolymers. The block copolymer(s) has hydrophobic content that exceeds its hydrophilic content.Preferred Property: The polypeptide(s) is capable of providing at least10 picoamps/cm2 of current density. The block copolymer(s) has block(s) having an average molecular weight between 1000-20000 daltons.Preferred Composition: The polypeptide is present in at least0.01-10 wt.% of biocompatible membrane. The synthetic polymer material is provided in at least50-99 wt.% based on weight of biocompatible polymer. The stabilizing polymer(s) is provided in up to 30, preferably 5-20 wt.%, based on the weight of synthetic polymer material.Preferred Condition: The anode and cathode are placed into electrical contact through a circuit, and 10, 50, and 100 milliwatts/cm2 are generated.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The fuel cell further includes electron carrier(s) in anode compartment, second polypeptide(s) in anode compartment, transfer mediator in anode compartment capable of transferring electrons to anode, dielectric material disposed between anode and cathode, first electron transfer mediator, and fuel(s) disposed in anode compartment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The vinyl ether monomer for forming the pendant groups has the formula of the form CA2=CB-O-R-O-CB=CA2. The ionomeric monomer has the formula CF2=CF-o-CF2CF(CF3)-O-CF2CF2-SO2F. The surfactant is ammonium perfluoro octanoate.Preferred Property: The ionic conductivity of the acid form of a membrane hydrated at room temperature formed from ionomer is greater than 0.15 S/cm at room temperature.Preferred Composition: The concentration of ammonium perfluoro octanoate in aqueous solution is less than 0.5 wt.%, the concentration of the ionomeric monomer is less than 10 wt.% and the vinyl ether compound is less than 0.1 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The porous support is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The initiator is ammonium persulfate. The concentration of the ammonium persulfate is 0.004 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The anionic dispersant is selected from a group consisting of naphthalene sulfonic acid formalin condensate, a polystyrene sulfonate, a polycarboxylic-acid salt, polystyrene sulfonic-acid group copolymer, polyacrylic-acid group copolymer, poly dicyclopentadiene sulfonate, and a poly aliphatic diene sulfonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The dispersion medium contains alcohol, ether, dialkyl sulfoxide along with water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The inert gas is nitrogen gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The austenitic stainless steel further contains aluminum, yttrium, calcium, rare earth element, niobium, titanium, molybdenum and copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The system also comprises second, third, fourth (and fifth valves) (4, 8, 16); and burner (13). The second valve interposes further upstream than the first passage. The third and fourth valves divide the gas delivered under pressure from the pressure mechanism between the fuel cell and the reformer. The controller also decreases the opening of the second valve and lead oxygen-containing gas by using the third valve when fuel vapor is purged, purges fuel vapor absorbed by the canister when the reformer is at a temperature at which the reforming reaction is possible, and determines if the fuel cell system has to be warmed up.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The energy conversion is the electrochemical cleavage of water into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. At least one disc at least partially immerses into an immersion bath of water to serve as electrode for the hydrolytic process. The cell contains at least two discs one serving as cathode, the other as anode.The hydrolysis cell comprises:(a) Two chambers sealed from each other. The first chamber for accommodation of hydrogen gas, and the second for accommodation of oxygen gas;(b) An immersing bath of water, one part located in the first chamber the other in the second chamber, with means to allow circulation between the two parts; and(c) at least two discs, perpendicularly mounted on a common, horizontal shaft, located above the immersing bath.The magnetic field is a DC field produced by coils or by permanent magnets.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material The sorbent is inorganic and comprises one or more of layered silicate, highly condensed polysilicic acids, aluminosilicate, transition metal silicate, vermiculite or kieselguhr. It comprises exfoliated vermiculite. It preferably absorbs up to 0.90 ml/cm3.Preferred composition: An incombustible binder of waterglass is employed    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A grid, felt or fleece of glass fibers or PTFE fibers is used to increase mechanical stability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The activated C precursor material is a resin preferably a phenolic resin that is baked after impregnation into the sheet. The activation sheet has 15-70 mass.% of activated resin.Preferred Method: The activation is effected by air oxidation, steam treatment, or carbon dioxide treatment. Prior to baking, the sheet has 30-45, (preferably 15-30) vol.% of cured resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The substrate is made from a material exhibiting significantly reduced absorption of the electromagnetic energy generated by the source than the catalyst material. The source of electromagnetic radiation is embodied as an induction coil (25) powered from an external generator (26) of high frequency current. It is also embodied as a microwave generator. The induction coil is packaged inside or outside the catalytic reactor. The microwave generator is connected to the catalytic reactor by a waveguide. The source is activated only for a cold start of the catalytic reactor. The external high frequency generator is also used for generating mechanical ultrasonic vibrations of the reacting medium. The catalyst is attached to electroconductive or ferromagnetic carrier particles that are in turn attached to the supporting structure. The ferromagnetic carrier particles have their Curie point temperature close to the specified catalyst temperature.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst comprises finely dispersed particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The anchoring layer contains fibres of stainless steel, nickel (alloy) or titanium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Stack: The stack comprises two diffusion layers (32a,32b) and two anchoring layers (33a,33b). It further includes at least one contact layer sintered to the side of the diffusion layer not connected to the anchoring layer. The stack has a perpendicular air permeability of less than 2-- l/min.dm2 and a planar air permeability of more than 0.02 l/min.dm2.Preferred Anchoring Layer: The anchoring layer has a porosity of 60-98% and a weight of less than 350 g/m2. The metal fibres have an equivalent diameter of more than 2 microns.Preferred Diffusion Layer: The diffusion layer has an open area of more than 30% and a thickness of more than 1 mm. The metal mesh is made of metal wires having a diameter of more than 0.5 mm. The expanded metal sheet has a thickness of less than 1.2 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Stack: The 1st metal fibre layers have a porosity of more than 80%, an equivalent diameter of more than 20 microns and a thickness of more than 0.5 mm. The 2nd metal fibre layers have a perpendicular air permeability of less than 200 l/min.dm2, an equivalent diameter of less than 30 microns and a thickness of less than 0.2 mm. The stack has a transversal electrical resistance of less than 30x10-3 Ohm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Impermeable Metal Structure: The metal structure is a metal plate or foil.Preferred Metal Fibres: The fibres are stainless steel fibres, nickel (alloy) fibres or titanium fibres.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gases stored are hydrogen, nitrogen, noble gases, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and compounds which synthesis or generate these gases. The hydrogen is in a gas mixture containing hydrogen, a substance which surrenders or generates hydrogen, and incorporates a substance which supplies and/or generates hydrogen.Preferred Metal: The metal ions are from the elements in Groups Ia, IIa, IIIa, VIIIa and Ib to VIb. The metal-organic matrix material is brought into contact with a medium which increases the storage capacity and is selected from the group consisting of solvent agents, complexes, metal hydrides, metal alloys, or mixture of two or more of these substances.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gas stored can be methane. The bivalent organic bonds are selected from substituted or non-substitutes aromatic polycarbonic acids with one or more nuclei, or non-substituted aromatic polycarbonic acids with one or more hetero atoms and one or more nuclei. The metal-organic matrix has a specific surface area of 20 m2/g , as measured by BET absorption in accordance with industrial standard DIN 66131. Also claimed is a commensurate fuel cell for e.g. automotive and/or other mobile applications,
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The hydrogen sensor includes a fuel processor model, and a transport delay estimator. The transport delay estimator calculates transport delay by assuming elemental or mass balance, by balancing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The hydrogen sensor calculates the assuming elemental or mass balance.Preferred Method: The carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water are measured using a non-dispersive infrared sensor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Alloy: The platinum alloy comprises platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, cobalt, nickel, chromium, gold, iron, molybdenum and/or tin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The ion-exchange resin in the ion-exchange membrane and catalyst layer, contains perfluorocarbon polymer having sulfonic acid group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The S-containing compound is at least one compound selected from dimethyl sulfide, diethyl sulfide, dipropyl sulfide, dibutyl sulfide, di-tert-butyl sulfide, divinyl sulfide, diarylsulfide, methylethylsulfide, methylpropyl sulfide, methyl iso-propyl sulfide, 3- methyltetrahydrothiopyrane, 2H-thiopyrane, 4H-thiopyrane, tetrahydrothiopyrane, 3- methyl-2,3-dihydrothiophene, 3-ethylthiophene and 20 other compounds, and is most preferably at least one compound selected from thiophene, 2,3-dihydrothiophene, 2,5- dihydrothiophene, tetrahydrothiophene, tetrahydrothiopyrane, 2H-thiopyrane and 4H- thiopyrane. The fuel gas is H2. EXAMPLE - Dimethylsulfide (200 mug) was injected into a cylinder LPG W3.3 (TM), and then H2 gas (1.33 g) was filled in the cylinder. The gas inside the cylinder was well mixed for 30 seconds so as to obtain H2 gas containing 150 ppm of dimethylsulfide. The gas was discharged into a room so that the room contained 10-3 vol% of the H2 gas, and the odor was noticed by humans.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Methods: Water and oxygenated hydrocarbon are reacted at 100-450, preferably 100-300 degrees C and at a pH of 4-10.They are reacted in presence of water-soluble salt of an alkali or alkali earth metal.They are further reacted at a pressure where they are gaseous or remain as condensed liquids.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal comprises nickel, palladium, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, and/or their alloys.The catalyst is further alloyed or mixed with a metal consisting of Group IB metals, Group IIB metals, Group VIIB metals, Group IVA metals, or Group VA metals, preferably copper, zinc, rhenium, germanium, tin, or bismuth.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The catalyst is adhered to a support consisting of silica, alumina, zirconia, titania, ceria, carbon, silica-alumina, silica nitride, and/or boron nitride.The water-soluble salt is consists of alkali or alkali earth metal hydroxide, carbonate, nitrate, or chloride salt.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The support is surface-modified to remove surface moieties consisting of hydrogen or hydroxyl.It is modified by treating with a modifier consisting of silanes, alkali compounds, or alkali earth compounds.It is silica modified with trimethylethoxysilane.Preferred Materials: The support is consists of zeolites, carbon nanotubes, carbon fullerenes, or nanoporous supports.The water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon is consists of ethanediol, ethanedione, glycerol, glyceraldehyde, aldotetroses, aldopentoses, aldohexoses, ketotetroses, ketopentoses, ketohexoses, or alditols, preferably aldohexoses or corresponding alditols, more preferably glucose or sorbitol, most preferably sucrose.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Sheet: The porous electroconductive sheet is a cloth, paper-making material, felt or a nonwoven fabric.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inorganic electroconductive material is carbon black or carbon fiber such as polyacrylonitrile and pitch.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The gel electrolyte is formed by mixing mono acrylate, mono triacrylate of an alkylene oxide or a polyvinylidene fluoride to a lithium ion electrolytic liquid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred material: The organic polymer film layer (11) is polyethylene terephthalate. The transparent adhesive layer (13A, 13B) contains an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The nanostructured storage material is adapted to absorb hydrogen without a chemical bond formation or with Van Der Waals interactions. It is BxCyNz, boron nitride, BC2N (sic), magnesium boride, beryllium nitride, beryllium boride, boron oxide, boron, beryllium oxide, aluminum chloride, peraluminum chloride, aluminum sulfide, magnesium silicide, magnesium nitride, lithium nitride, lithium sulfide, sodium sulfide, or sodium persulfide. It comprises a network of light elements coupled with covalent bonds comprising sp2 bonds (24).x, y, z = integers.Preferred Property: The desorption temperature of hydrogen in relation to the nanostructured storage material is greater than the liquefaction temperature of nitrogen. The hydrogen has a desorption temperature in relation to the nanostructured storage material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Species: The sulfur containing species of the organic fuel is selected from the group of mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, tetrahydro thiophene, thiophenes, benzothiophene and their mixtures.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The electrodes of the electrode assembly are constructed by the stacking catalyst layer formed from an alloy having platinum (Pt).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The mixed gas stream contact surface of membrane, is made of palladium and copper alloy.The retainer is made of nickel and copper alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The porous material is a porous perfluoropolymer, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or PTFE copolymer. The inner pore structure is coated at least partly with the perfluorinated polyether phosphate. The carrier material is a composite containing thermoplastics.Preferred Property: The porous material has a porosity of more than 50%, preferably more than 70%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte is potassium hydroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The carrier material is a composite containing nanoscale ceramic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The device is battery from nickel/cadmium high rate, nickel metal hybrid, rechargeable manganese oxide, zinc-manganese oxide, zinc/air, alkaline capacitors, or alkaline fuel cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred System: The MOS gas sensor system further comprises temperature sensor, relative humidity sensor, and circuitry.Preferred Method: The modifying of signal from the gas sensor comprises using analog circuitry. The signal representing the dew point comprises measuring dew point by using chilled-mirror equipment. It may be derived from temperature and relative humidity signals. The MOS gas sensor system is utilized by exposing the MOS gas sensor to a target gas, determining dew point by measuring dew pint using a dew point sensor, and deriving dew point from the measured temperature and relative humidity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Components: The lithium and transition metal group complex oxide contains manganese, cobalt, nickel, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, boron, aluminum, tin, titanium, chromium and/or iron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oxide: The oxide is LiMn2O4 optionally doped with another metallic element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The cobalt compound is cobalt hydroxide, oxy cobalt hydroxide, cobalt monoxide, tricobalt tetraoxide or cobalt sulfate, and comprises zinc, cadmium, magnesium, calcium, yttrium, ytterbium or erbium. The nickel hydroxide-containing compound further includes cobalt, zinc, cadmium, calcium, yttrium, ytterbium or erbium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layer: The electroconductive ceramic layer consists of titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbide (TiC), chromium carbide (CrC), tantalum carbide (TaC), boron carbide (B4C), silicon carbide (SiC), zirconium nitride (ZrN), chromium nitride (CrN), tungsten carbide and/or hafnium carbide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Layer: The metal layer comprises gold, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, nickel, tin, chromium, cobalt, copper or iron.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The non-aqueous electrolyte in non-aqueous electrolyte battery, comprises at least propylene carbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is a copolymer of vinyl sulfonic acid, vinyl sulfonate, styrene sulfonic acid and/or styrene sulfonate, preferably styrene-vinyl sulfonic acid and the plastic porous sheet is polyolefin porous sheet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The organopolysiloxane (A) has an average degree of polymerization of 100 - 2,000, and at least 90 mol% of the entire organic radicals bonded to silicon atoms are methyl. The total amount of alkenyl radicals in component (A) and the total amount of silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in component (B) are such that the molar ratio of silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms to alkenyl radicals is 0.8 - 5.0. The acid resistant inorganic filler (D) is selected from quartz flour, diatomaceous earth, mica, talc, clay, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, barium sulfate, titanium oxide and/or iron oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The conductive separator plate has, in the peripheral portion, a pair of fuel gas manifold apertures (13), a pair of oxidant gas manifold apertures (12) and a pair of cooling water manifold apertures (14). The anode-side and cathode-side separator plates are combined with each other such that the other sides which do not have the gas flow path face each other, and a cooling water flow path is formed between the combined anode-side and cathode-side conductive separator plates. The difference in height between the main portion and the peripheral portion surrounding the main portion is 80-400 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The classified alloy powder is heat processed at 1040-1100 degreesC. The alloy powder has a particle size of 500 micron or less, preferably 50-300 micron. Before casting, rapid cooling of molten hydrogen occlusion alloy raw material is performed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The holes (10) have a truncated cone or truncated pyramid shape and are produced by etching or laser ablation. The support is made of silicon, graphite or a ceramic material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The support can be made of a polymeric material. The base units are simultaneously sealed, planarized and assembled together with an epoxy, polyimide, silicone or acrylic adhesive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The hydrogen separator with a permeable membrane has a membrane made up of polydimethylsiloxane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The first polymer is polytetrafluoroethylene, and the second polymer is polyethylene. The donor is a fluorine atom on a first polymer chain, and the acceptor is a fluorine atom on an adjacent first polymer chain. The first and second polymers are combined chemically as their monomers to a copolymer chain. The weight ratio of the second monomer to the first monomer is 3-20. The first polymer chain is short and intermixed and aligned in a matrix of the long chains of the second polymer so the mean free path of an electron between the donor and the acceptor on an adjacent polymer chain is 5-20 (5-30) Angstrom. Optionally, only the first polymer can be present with rigid crosslinked pillar groups orthogonal to and separating adjacent polymer chains to a distance of 5-30 Angstrom, the space between being otherwise empty.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The sheet is 300-10000 Angstrom thick, and the energy storage per unit weight is 1-5 KWhrs/kg. The donors comprises elements or groups in table IV, and the acceptor comprises elements or groups in table (III). The sheet is connected to a direct current (DC)-alternating current (AC) inverter and a load, where the high DC electric power output is converted to low voltage AC electric power and supplied to the load. The sheet comprises a photovoltaic sheet for the conversion of solar energy to electric energy. TABLES III AND IV, PAGE 13
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The fluorspar type oxygen ionic conductive oxide is a scandia stabilized zirconia.The perovskite-type oxide is of formula (A1-xA'x)1-alpha(B1-yB')1-betaCbetaO3-delta.A = at least one rare earth element;A' = at least one from Ba, Sr, and Ca;B = Ga;B', C = at least one from Mg, Co, Mn, Fe, Ni and Cu;0 less than x 0.25;0 less than y less than 0.3;0 at most alpha less than 0.15;0 less than beta less than 0.5;0 at most delta at most 0.5.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The anode and cathode bipolar plates are in contact with each other under compression pressure of 100 psi.Preferred Components: The PEMFC has modulized single cells superimposed over one another in sequential order. The anode and cathode bipolar plates (formed integrally with each other) of each of the cells has upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The surface(s) is formed with a groove along its circumferential portion, and the RTV is further applied into the groove to seal and position the sequentially ordered cells under the predetermined compression pressure after the RTV is cured, forming the cell unit.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The applied RTV is made of silicon rubber material of non-corrosive electronic grade. It has a heat cured temperature of 100-140, a viscosity greater than 150,000 cps and dielectric strength of 15-20 V/mil.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Sensor: The annular seal, which is disposed to surround the first electrode, is disposed within the measurement chamber, which accommodates the first electrode. The support comprises a first support (9a) provided on the same side as the first electrode, and a second support (9b) provided on the same side as the second electrode. The proton conduction layer is held between the first and second supports. One plate is disposed on the outside of the first support, and another plate is disposed on the outside of the second support. The first and second supports are held by the two plates, which are fastened from the outside by a fixer to clamp the first and second supports.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The element is a pipe, multilayer pipe, reservoir vessel, connector, adapter, filter or pump or valve part.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polyester molding composition is based on polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene 2,6-naphthalate, polypropylene 2,6-naphthalate, polybutylene 2,6-naphthalate, poly(1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane terephthalate) and poly(1,4-dimethylene cyclohexane 2,6-naphthalate). It preferably has an antistatic finish.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The end plate body is a metal die casting, cast metal or metal foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The strong base is alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide. It is preferably sodium hydroxide.Preferred Composition: The alkaline aqueous composition comprises 24-30 mole% sodium borohydride and 0.025-0.3 mole% strong base.It comprises 44.0 wt.% (27.27 mole %) sodium borohydride, 0.2 wt.% (0.12 mole %) caustic soda and 55.8 wt.% (72.61 mole %) water.The mole ratio of base to sodium borohydride is 0.0043.The composition further comprises viscosity-reducing additive.Preferred Property: The aqueous fuel has a temperature of 10-30degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The additive is isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, 2-ethylhexanol or sodium chloride. It preferably comprises 1.4 wt.% isopropyl alcohol. EXAMPLE - An alkaline aqueous sodium borohydride solution comprising 44 wt.% NaBH4 and 0.2 wt.% sodium hydroxide at 40degreesC gave a decomposition rate of 0% NaBH4/hour. An alkaline aqueous sodium borohydride solution containing no caustic material gave a decomposition rate of 0.06% NaBH4/hour.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The separation of oxygen from oxygen-containing feed stream forms an oxygen depleted retentate (27). Steam contained in steam feed stream is produced through indirect heat exchange with oxygen depleted retentate. The partial pressure of hydrogen permeate is reduced through the use of sweep gas (62) composed of steam, and water resulting from use of sweep gas is removed from hydrogen permeate stream. Hydrocarbon-containing gas stream is preheated through indirect heat transfer with hydrogen permeate stream.The method further comprises pre-reforming ethane and other higher order hydrocarbons contained within the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream to methane before reacting oxygen permeate with hydrocarbon and steam. Sulfur from hydrocarbon-containing feed stream is removed. A part of the hydrogen is added to the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream. Synthesis gas is generated in a first reaction stage, and then introduced into a second reaction stage to separate hydrogen and produce hydrogen-depleted crude synthesis gas. The hydrocarbon-containing feed stream and air stream to supply the air for combustion of hydrogen crude synthesis gas are preheated through heat exchange with oxygen depleted retentate stream.Preferred Components: The hydrogen transport membrane is a metal membrane, a proton-conducting membrane or a porous ceramic membrane. The oxygen transport membrane is formed from a mixed conducting material or a dual phase metal and metal oxide combination.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The vertical shell, jacket and reservoir are made of steel selected from the group consisting of 304, 316, 21/4 Cr-1/2 Mo, and KCS steel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The high temperature catalyst is selected from the group consisting of iron oxide, chromium oxide and mixture. The low temperature catalyst is selected from the group consisting of copper-promoted zinc oxide and gold-promoted titanium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred binder: The binder is thermosetting plasticized polyvinyl alcohol resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The pressure energy-utilizing unit comprises mechanical drive device(s) for generating mechanical energy, compressor for compressing further operating agent of fuel energy converter, or coupling device (10, 11) for coupling drive device to the compressor.It is arranged, in respect of the flow, between the fuel pressure reservoir and fuel energy converter, or after the fuel energy converter.Electric generator(s) is arranged on the drive device.The coupling device has gear unit(s) for mechanically matching compressor to the drive device.A separate pressure-reducing element is arranged at least before the fuel energy converter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The etching is chemical etching using iron trichloride (FeCl3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: If the thermal expansion coefficients of the foundation layer, the honeycomb segments, and the joining layer are Ut, Ht and At respectively, then Ht at least Ut at least At, or Ht at most Ut at most At.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The cooling device includes a fuel cell, especially a fuel cell with polymer/electrolyte membranes. The cooling fluid is a mixture of water and an alcohol, preferably a glycol, of electrical conductivity less than 5 microS/cm. The polyarylene sulfide is poly-(p-phenylene sulfide). EXAMPLE - FORTRON(RTM)(non-reinforced poly-(p-phenylene sulfide) granulate (50 g) was stored in cooling fluid (water glycol ratio 1:1) at 80degreesC. The initial conductivity of the fluid was 0.16 and after 168 hours of storage 1.14 microS/cm/
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The battery comprises an anode, a cathode, a separator and an acid electrolyte in which zinc and a lanthanide form a redox pair. Charging of the battery oxidizes cerium (Ce3+)-Ce4+. The methane sulfonic acid complexes Ce4+ releasing H+ that passes through the separator. The acid electrolyte is a mixed electrolyte contacting at least one of the anode (160) and cathode (170).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The acid electrolyte comprises an organic acid from methane sulfonic acid (preferably), trifluoromethane sulfonic acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid. The electrolyte comprises methane sulfonic acid.Preferred Concentration: The organic acid is present in the cathode compartment at a concentration of 1-4 M, preferably 2.5-3.5 M. The organic acid is present in the anode compartment at a concentration of at least 2.5 M and forms a salt with oxidized zinc upon discharge of the battery.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The permeable separator comprises a perfluorinated polymer including sulfonic or carboxylic groups.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The element in the cathode compartment is a lanthanide from cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, terbium or dysprosium. It can be cerium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The expandable metal shell is made of copper or stainless steel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The outer compartment receives hot water to enable endothermic reaction of the metal hydride within the hydrogen source to effectively discharge the hydrogen at a fixed pressure. The hot water maintains the pressurized bottle at a predetermined temperature, subjecting the pressurized bottle to discharge hydrogen at 50-300 psi.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer is from compounds of formula La1-xAxMO3.A, M = metals;andx = 0-0.8.Preferred Material: A is strontium, barium, or calcium. M is manganese or cobalt. Preferred Property: The lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer has a resistivity at 300degreesK of less than 1, preferably 0.1 mOhm-cm. The epitaxial buffer layer is at least100 nm thick. Preferred Component: The textured metal surface comprises a metal(s) consisting of copper (Cu), Cu-based alloys, cobalt, molybdenum, cadmium, palladium, platinum, silver, aluminum, nickel (Ni), or Ni-based alloys. It comprises a metal(s) Ni and Ni-based alloys with an alloying agent(s) consisting of cobalt, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, or rare earth elements. The epitaxial article comprises an epitaxial capping layer(s) disposed on the lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer. The epitaxial buffer layer is of different composition than the lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer. The epitaxial capping layer comprises a material(s) which is a rare earth oxide. The material is strontium rubidium oxide (SRO), lanthanum nickel oxide (LNO), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), cerium(IV) oxide, yttrium oxide, or rare earth oxides. The superconducting layer comprises an oxide superconductor consisting of B.B = REBa2Cu3O7, Tl1Ba2Can-1CunO2n+3, Tl2Ba2Can-1CunO2n+4, or Hg1Ba2Can-1CunO2n+2;RE = rare earth element;andn = 1-4.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The electromagnetically active layer includes a superconducting layer. Preferred Method: A biaxially-textured metal surface is provided by rolling and annealing a metal material. The lanthanum metal oxide epitaxial buffer layer is deposited by a sputtering process comprising RF-magnetron sputtering. The electromagnetically active layer is deposited by a process comprising piulsed laser ablation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The rings comprise standard modulus carbon fiber in an epoxy resin matrix. The rings are bonded together with an epoxy resin applied as an interlaminar lubricant/bonding agent during assembly.
EXAMPLE - Manganese oxide (52 wt.%), 2(copper oxide)-chromium oxide (32 wt.%), and cobalt oxide (16 wt.%) were mixed and pulverized, molded into a cylindrical body with a diameter of 3.0 mm and a length of 3 mm, and calcined under 500degreesC to activate the mixture as an oxide catalyst. After the surface was fully cleaned, (Pt(NH3)4)(NO3)2 (sic) solution (1:60) was applied to the surface, dried and subjected to thermal decomposition to obtain platinum black. Silver nitrate (0.7 g/L) solution was applied to the surface, subjected to thermal decomposition, washed with water, and dried to obtain a catalyst. Mixed gas comprising carbon monoxide (500 ppm) and hydrogen (500 ppm) was passed through a vessel filled with catalyst at 22.5 L/min. No carbon monoxide was detected, and a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide (500 ppm) and hydrogen (500 ppm) was obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reducing metal oxide is a nickel oxide and/or a copper oxide, and the hardly reducing metal oxide is a magnesium oxide. Preferred Composition: The copper oxide is provided by at least0.1% and at most5%, preferably at least0.1% and at most20% in the atomic ratio with respect to the magnesium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The first boron nitride layer is deposited at approximately 350 degrees Celsius.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The barrier layers having a thickness of greater than 10 nm, comprise silicon oxides or boron. The first dielectric layer comprises boron nitride layer having a crystal structure that includes at least 3% cubic phase. The electrodes are aluminum electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The cell further contains an electrolyte disposed within the soft pocket chamber. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution containing potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or sodium chloride, preferably potassium hydroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The semi-permeable membrane is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. The soft pocket is made of neoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene copolymer or chlorosulfonated polyethylene. The soft pocket comprises a molded integral piece M-shaped in cross section.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: The closing mechanism comprises bolt(s) and nut(s). The metal anode is wholly disposed within the chamber and comprises a base portion and a tab portion. The base portion is disposed without an enclosure separator bag and is trapezoidal in shape. The gas cathodes (I,II) are air cathodes (I,II), respectively. The metal anode is retained firmly within the pocket by elastic elements when the structures (I,II) are in the position (I). The elastic elements are disposed within the structure (II).Preferred Material: The sheets (I,II) are permanently installed at 0.3-0.5 mm, respectively from the cathodes (I,II) in the cell. The sheets are protected by alkaline-resist protective meshes, which are 40-300 mesh, preferably 80-100 mesh. The battery comprises several cells which are electrically connected in series. The peripheries of the walls (I,II) are attached to the structures (I,II), respectively without using glue.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal anode comprises an electrically conductive support structure (56) to which a metal anode material, preferably zinc, is attached.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The metal hydride composition may be prepared by mixing ethanol (approximately 2-5 parts) to water (1 part) to form a first mixture; adjusting the pH of first mixture to approximately 1-2.5; mixing ethanol (approximately 1 part) to tetraethoxysilane (2 parts) to form a second mixture; combining the first and second mixtures to form a sol; mixing metal hydride particles with sol to form a third mixture; gelling the third mixture at room temperature; and drying the resulting gel under supercritical conditions.The method may include conditioning the sol at room temperature before mixing the metal hydride particles. The aerogel (100 g) is mixed with metal hydride particles (not more than 50 g).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The metal hydride particles have a size of less than 100 micrometers. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The alcohol is specifically claimed as methanol or ethanol, the organometal is specifically claimed as tetraethoxysilane, and the acid is specifically claimed as hydrochloric acid, hydrosulfuric acid, or nitric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrode material includes iron (Fe), iron (II) oxide (FeO), iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4), Fe2O3, FeO(OH), or their combinations. A current collector of the electrochemical capacitor comprises iron, steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, nickel, glass, or ceramics. It supports the electrode material for delivering capacitances of at least 0.1 F to loads.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The capacitor includes at least two electrodes which are machine-folded plates, in which one of the electrodes utilizes a current collector that is a case, a chassis, a cover, a frame, or a housing of electric automobile, bicycle, motorcycles, scooter, wheelchairs, die-pressed plates, or extruded plates.Preferred Configuration: The plates have thickness of at least 0.1 mm. The electrodes can be in the form of two concentric tubes having a round, triangular, square, or polyhedral shape.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: A current collector of the electrochemical capacitor comprises plastics.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The fuel cell power plant also includes a sensor which detects (i) pressure in the hydrogen supply passage, (ii) power generation load on the fuel cell stack and (iii) hydrogen flow rate in the hydrogen supply passage; a programmable controller programmed to control the opening of the valve to prevent the pressure in the hydrogen supply passage from exceeding a predetermined pressure (S1 - S3, S11 - S13, S21 - S27, S31 - S33, S41 - S43, S51 - S57); and a bypass passage (11) bypassing the ejector. The valve is disposed in the bypass passage. An orifice is disposed in the bypass passage in series with the valve. The valve comprises a throttle continuously varied between open and closed states.The controller is further programmed to open the valve when the pressure is greater than a first predetermined pressure, and to close the valve when the pressure is less than a second predetermined pressure which is less than the first predetermined pressure. The controller is also programmed to control the valve to increase the opening of valve corresponding to increases in power generation load or hydrogen flow rate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particle: The active catalytic particle is derived from the metal salt (B) and is iron, nickel, cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, rhenium, osmium, iridium and/or platinum. The active catalytic particle is comprised of a metal oxide support that is derived from metal salt (A) and selected from alumina, magnesium oxide and/or calcium oxide. The substrate is borosilicate glass and sodalime glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Process: A solvent and/or binder is mixed into the sealant mixture paste. Transforming of the sealant mixture paste into a composite sealant material comprises applying heat of 700-950 degreesC to the sealant mixture paste, so that the glass precursor reacts with the composite microstructure forming agent, to form elongated grains. The sealant mixture paste is cured by applying heat at 25-600 degreesC, prior to transforming into the composite sealant, so that the solvent and/or binder is removed from the sealant mixture paste.Preferred Composition: The solvent and/or binder comprise paste (5-50 wt.%).Preferred Component: The reinforcing phase comprises elongated grains, which are distributed into the glass matrix to form a network of elongated grains. The sealant mixture paste comprises non-reactive fillers consisting of metal powders, ceramic powders, or ceramic fibers.Preferred Parameter: The elongated grains have a length of 2-200 microns and an aspect ratio of 2-100. The glass precursor to the composite microstructure-forming agent is in a weight ratio of between 1-2 and 30-1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The reducing agent is hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide.The solid catalyst is nickel oxide-zirconia, nickel oxide-cobalt oxide-magnesium oxide, nickel oxide-iron oxide-thorium oxide, nickel oxide-cerium oxide, nickel oxide-yttrium oxide, nickel oxide/silica, nickel oxide/alumina oxide, nickel oxide/silica-alumina, nickel oxide/uranium oxide, nickel oxide/Y-zeolite, nickel oxide/MCM-41, nickel oxide/mordenite zeolite, nickel oxide/ZSM-5 zeolite and/or nickel oxide/beta zeolite.The group VIII metal oxide(s) is nickel oxide, cobalt oxide and/or iron oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The separator is produced by forming plate-shaped resin material, accumulating a number of molded products and plate-shaped materials alternately in a container having heat resistance, and performing carbonization baking process in a furnace interior. A press power is provided to the molded products via the plate-shaped material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The plate-shaped material is a graphite board.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The positive electrode contains a compound selected from the group consisting of yttrium compounds such as yttrium oxide (Y2O3) and yttrium hydroxide (Y(OH)3), indium compounds such as indium oxide (In2O3) and In2O3.H2O, antimony compounds such as antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) and Sb2O4, beryllium compounds such as beryllium oxide (BeO) and beryllium hydroxide (Be(OH)2) and ytterbium compounds such as ytterbium oxide (Yb2O3) and ytterbium hydroxide (Yb(OH)3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The thickness of the flexible foil element is less than 0.5, preferably 0.127 mm.Preferred Component: The spacer element spaces an electrolyte element (14) from an interconnect element. It includes 2-10 laminate spacer elements. At least one of the outermost of the laminate spacer elements is formed of mica for sealing and insulating disposition against an electrolyte element in the fuel cell stack.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The element is formed of material selected from a superalloy, Hastalloy, Haines 230, or stainless steel. The soft material is copper, nickel, or dielectric materials.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The soft material can be mica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The hydrogen is adsorbed at -50-800degreesC (preferably 220degreesC or less) and a hydrogen pressure of 10-2-500 bar.Preferred Components: The metal-nitrogen compound is of formula, LimNHn. It is Li3N, Li2NH or a Li-enriched lithium imide. The metal or metalloid dopant is a lanthanide element, carbon, silicon, germanium, phosphorus, oxygen, sulfur, tin, fluorine, or chlorine. It is beryllium, magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum, titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, platinum, or palladium. The metal-nitrogen or metalloid-nitrogen compound is a ternary or higher nitride based compound. The element is lithium. The metal nitrogen compound is Ca-N based compound consisting of Ca3N2 or Ca2NH.m = 2-3;n = 0-1;m+n = 3.Preferred Composition: The LimNHn metal-nitrogen compound is in mixture with carbon in a molar ratio of Li to carbon of 10000:1-1:3. It is in mixture with a metal or metalloid dopant in a molar ratio of LimNHn to metal dopant of 1000:1-1:1. It is in mixture with a lithium hydride (LiH) additive in a molar ratio of LimNHn to LiH additive of 100:1-1:10. Adsorbed hydrogen is 5.5 wt.% or more of desorbable hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The particle releasers are configured to maintain the porosity (epsilon) of the anode in 0.4-0.8 to allow for efficient operation of the cell. They are configured to release the electroactive particles to prevent the nonuniform accumulation of one or more reaction products within a cell cavity. They are configured to maintain the flow of reaction solution through the anode to allow for efficient operation of the cell. The cells are combined in series or parallel. The flow is a recirculating flow of reaction solution. At least some of the electroactive particles are recirculated to the anode. The anode comprises a static or quasi-static flow of electroactive particles. Preferred Method: The flow rate of reaction solution through the anode is maintained at a superficial velocity of 10-200 cm/minute.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electroactive particles comprise zinc particles. The reaction solution comprises potassium hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A sound attenuator is provided upstream of an air supply duct with respect to the direction of the intake air flow (18).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sound insulation comprises an open-celled foam material (32). It comprises polyurethane foam.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The sound insulation comprises braided metal or a random metal structure comprising metal ribbons.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The hydrogen storage compound comprises benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, an anthracene, a biphenyl, phenanthrenes and alkyl substitution products.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Compositions: The aluminum alloy material comprises: (in mass%):(i) zirconium (Zr, 0.02-0.15); and aluminum (Al) and impurities (balance);(ii) Zr (0.2-0.45); beryllium (Be, 0.01-0.05), iron (Fe, 0.1-0.3), silicon (Si, 0.06-0.2) and/or copper (Cu, 0.1-0.3); and Al and impurities (balance); or(iii) magnesium (Mg, 0.35-1.5); Si (0.3-1.2); Fe (0.1-1), Cu (0.1-0.4) and/or manganese (0.02-0.8); chromium (Cr, 0.02-0.4), zinc (Zn, 0.08-0.3) and/or titanium (Ti, 0.01-0.2); and Al and impurities (balance).Preferred Method: The aluminum alloy material is molded by conform extrusion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The precursor of the platinum compound is Pt(NH3)2(NO3)2 or Pt(NH3)4(OH)2.The precursor compound of platinum is produced using more than one component among Ce, Re and Zr other than Pt, and using a compound containing no halogen and sulfur as a water-soluble precursor of Ce, Re and Zr. The precursor of Re to be supported is perrhenic acid or its salts or rhenium oxide (Re2O7). EXAMPLE - To an alumina support of diameter 3mm having a pore volume of 0.45ml/g, a mixed solution of cerium nitrate and ammonium perrhenate is impregnated. After drying for 12 hours at 110degreesC, it is fired at 500degreesC for 3 hours. Next, platinum is impregnated by using a nitric acid solution of dinitro-diammine platinum. After drying at 110degreesC for 12 hours, it is fired at 400degreesC for 3 hours to give a catalyst. The catalyst contains 2 weight% Pt, 2 weight% Re and 15 weight% CeO2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte is a solid comprising crossover sites suitable for crossover of the consumable carbonaceous material through the electrolyte. It is a polymer electrolyte membrane or a fluorosulfonic acid.Preferred Method: An amount of the chemical additive remains constant during operation of the electrochemical device.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The consumable carbonaceous material is methanol.Preferred Component: The chemical barrier comprises non-consumable chemical additive disposed in the consumable carbonaceous material. It preferably comprises the chemical additive suitable for attachment to a portion of the crossover sites. The chemical additive comprises organic molecule(s) that is larger than a molecule of the consumable carbonaceous material; or organic compound(s) having a molecular size that is larger than a molecular size of the methanol. The organic compound is alcohols and/or glycols, preferably iso-propanol, butanol or ethylene glycol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydride: The solid hydride is of formula (I).M'xMy(AlHn)z (I)M' = alkali metal (preferably Li, Na or K);M = alkaline earth metal (preferably Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba);x = 0 or 1;y = 0-3;z = 1-7: andn = 3-6.Especially preferred are lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4), sodium aluminum hydride (NaAlH4), magnesium aluminum hydride (Mg(AlH4)2) and aluminum hydride (AlH3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material : The metal hydride is selected from MgH2, Mg2NiH4, Mg2H2, CaH2 and Ca2H2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The non-aqueous electrolyte is a cyclic carbonate chosen from ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate and butylene carbonate. The negative electrode active material is graphite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Sensors on the carrier register the track, and/or the carrier has a guidance roller. It has its own drive and energy supply. Friction is measured and adjustable spacing of the carrier from the vehicle is set accordingly.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Module functions: The module is on a bus system, can enter a sleep mode, and may be re-activated from the mechanical sensor. Operational principles: The sensor is micro-mechanical. It is piezoelectric or a self-excited inductor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anode comprises a material chosen from lithium-containing cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium containing nickel oxide (LiNiO2) or lithium-containing manganese oxide (LiMn2O4). The cathode comprises a carbonaceous material e.g. coke, carbon fibers, or chalcogen compound or light metal that occlude and devolatilize the lithium ions. The anode and cathode are also formed of aluminum foil, stainless steel foil or titanium foil.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The noble metal is platinum, and the base metal is iron. The single-composition gas comprises carbon monoxide gas, carbon dioxide gas, hydrogen gas, or oxygen gas. A quantity of adsorbed carbon monoxide in a powdery form of catalyst prior to production of an electrode is not less than 12 Ncc/g of the noble metal. The platinum complex solution is an aqueous solution of platinum sulfide.Preferred Property: The specific surface area of the carbon carrier is not less than 600 m2/g, preferably not less than 800 m2/g.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Parameter: The specific temperature for the reduction of the base metal is 400-900 degreesC, preferably 500-700 degreesC. A temperature of complete oxygen release from a powdery form of catalyst prior to production of an electrode is not more than 280 degreesC. A peak temperature of carbon dioxide release form of catalyst prior to production of an electrode is not more than 300 degreesC. A supply rate of the iron salt solution to the dispersion of powdery carbon of 0.88-11 mmole/minute. A supply rate of the alkali solution to the dispersion including the iron salt solution of 1.25-10 mmole/minute. An atomic number ratio of the base metal to the noble metal is not less than 0.14 in EDX analysis. A ratio of a binding number of noble metal atom with base metal atom to a total binding number relating to the noble metal atom is not less than 0.1 in EXAFS (sic) analysis.Preferred Method: The noble metal supporting step adds a platinum complex solution to a dispersion of powdery carbon and subsequently mixes an oxidizing agent with the dispersion including the platinum complex solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The catalyst composition reforms sulfur-containing carbonaceous fuel at less than 1000degrees C.The fuel/water/oxidant mixture is preheated to less than 1000 degrees C.The hydrogen sulfide is preferentially adsorbed on a zinc-oxide bed, and carbon monoxide is removed by a high temperature membrane reactor.The fuel/water mixture is contacted with catalyst at a pressure of less than 10 atmospheres.Sulfur is added to carbonaceous fuel in preset amount to maintain an equilibrium sulfur level on the surface of the catalyst composition.Preferred Composition: The hydrogen-containing gas stream further comprises hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.The dehydrogenation portion of a catalyst comprises one of a metal and a metal alloy chosen from group VIII transition metals and their mixtures.The oxidation portion of catalyst comprises ceramic oxide powder and a dopant chosen from rare earth metals, alkaline earth metals and/or alkali metals.The hydrodesulfurization portion of the catalyst comprises a material chosen from group IV rare earth metal sulfide, group IV rare earth metal sulfate and/or their substoichiometric metal.The carbonaceous fuel contains less than 3 wt.% of sulfur.Preferred Fuel: The carbonaceous fuel is chosen from gasoline, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, diesel fuel, heating oil, naphtha, kerosene, jet fuel, alkanes, aromatics and/or alkenes. EXAMPLE - A sulfated fuel was prepared by doping isooctane fuel with benzothiophene (25 wppm). The sulfated fuel was treated with catalyst comprising 1-0.5 wt.% of platinum on Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.6S0.3. The hydrogen yield was 5.44% higher than the yield of hydrogen obtained without use of sulfur.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The flow channels in both plates are defined by etchings in the plates. The etchings are shaped to induce a swirl into a flow. They form magnetic pattern consisting of S-shape pattern, serpentine pattern, chevron pattern, or a wave-form pattern. The supply opening in each plate comprises an anode and a cathode supply opening. The second plate also includes a rib separating the anode and cathode supply flow channels.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The water transfer membrane comprises poly(perfluorosulfonic) acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The noble material form further comprises a metallic powder comprising platinum black, palladium black or ruthenium black.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The design is cylindrical, concentric and telescopic. The entry region to the catalyst is planar with passages. Components on the sides of the catalyst promote turbulent flow. The reactor is annular, the planar section being a perforated inner casing (24) between catalyst (12) and feed unit (14). There are fewer openings, as the catalyst outlet is approached. The feed unit lies outside the catalyst, with the heat exchanger inside. The catalyst is a fixed, packed bed. It is a catalytically-coated porous foam matrix. The reactor comprises a number of parallel or series units, connected or controlled together. It is a tubular bundle reactor with compact cooling jacket.Preferred Adjuster The moveable adjuster is a feed pipe (22), leaving only a part of the flat component open to reagent flow. The feed unit is closed at the end opposite the supply pipe. A variant of the adjustment arrangement uses a blocking plunger to control flow. A heat exchanger (16) is located near the catalyst, for cooling, and can be moved along it. It, too, is coaxial with the catalyst. The heat exchanger operates in a co-flowing (or counterflow) mode, and has a closed cooling circuit. It is an annular, outer cooler. The adjuster changes the residence time of reagents in the catalyst unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The crystalline silicate is zeolite. The catalyst layer contains a catalyst exhibiting catalytic properties at 80-200 degrees C. It contains ruthenium and/or platinum. The zeolite is MFI-type zeolite, preferably ZSM-5, mordenite or beta-zeolite. Mole ratio of silica to alumina silicon dioxide/aluminum oxide in the zeolite is at least 50, preferably at least 100. The mass ratio of the crystalline silicate to silica contained in the silica sol is 90:1-70:30 in the first slurry.Preferred Properties: The adhesive layer has a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 280-350 m2/g. Peaks of a micropore distribution of the adhesive layer exist at 1.7-3.7 or 3.7-85 nm. Mean diameter of particles of silica which is acidic sol contained in the silica sol is 5-60 nm, preferably 2-6 micron.Preferred Method: The first slurry uses zeolite as the crystalline silicate and it has a pH of 3-8.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The use amount of the hydrated iron oxide particles and/or iron oxide particles is 0.01-50 weight % based on the waste containing resin. The specific surface area of hydrated iron oxide particles and/or iron oxide particles is at least 5 m2/g. The reaction temperature is 300-2000 degrees C and the reaction pressure is 0.001-1000 atmospheres. The hydrated iron oxide is goethite (alpha-FeOOH), lepidocrosite (gamma-FeOOH) and/or delta-FeOOH, and the iron oxide is hematite (alpha-Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3), an iron oxide in an oxidation state between hematite and magnetite, and/or an iron oxide in an oxidation state between maghemite and magnetite. A dispersant can be coated on the iron oxides in an amount of 0.1-500 weight % based on the iron oxide. EXAMPLE - A sample (3.8 weight parts) where goethite particles (30 weight parts) are dispersed in polyethylene (70 weight parts), and water (6.5 weight parts) are introduced into a Pyrex glass tube, and reduced to a vacuum and sealed. This is introduced into a stainless steel tube and introduced into an electric furnace at 600 degrees C for 20 minutes. After cooling, the gas component of the tube is analyzed and hydrogen is 27 volume parts, methane is 13 volume parts, and ethylene is 6 volume parts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The lithium complex oxide comprises iron, chromium, aluminum and manganese.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The diameter of the glass fiber is 10-25, preferably 15-20mum. The glass fiber is 5-20 mm long. The composite has a calculated creep resistance of less than 2, preferably less than 1.6.Preferred Composition: The composite contains 40-60, preferably at least 45-55 wt.% glass fiber.Preferred Component: The thermoplastic resin component comprises a thermoplastic polymer from partially aromatic polyamides, polyarylsulfones, polyaryletherketones, polyaryletheretherketones, polyaryletherimides, polyarylimides, aromatic thermotropic liquid crystal polymers or preferably polyarylene sulfide. The glass fiber is incorporated in the composite by pultrusion techniques and is fabricated as a single injection molded part. EXAMPLE - A pultruded polyphenylene sulfide composite containing 50 wt.% long glass fiber and 50 wt.% polyphenylene sulfide having a melt viscosity of 500 poise was injection molded on molding machine with a pg screw ASTM test specimens for measuring flexural creep. It was dried for 1 hours at 130degreesC prior to molding. The flexural creep of the molded sample was 0.71 after 0.1 hour and 1.05 after 200 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Power systems The unit has a mains electricity connection (17) and electrolysis system (4). It also includes a source of energy (14) which is preferably self-powered, e.g. a fuel cell. Monitoring and control A control unit (15) monitors hydrogen generation, storage and/or tank filling. A transmission unit (16) sends relevant data back to an external receiver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell stack further comprises a second manifold which is different from the first manifold and in fluid communication with the first and third flow plate outlets, a second desiccant in the second manifold, a third manifold which is different from the first and second manifolds and in fluid communication with the second and fourth flow field plate inlets, a third desiccant in the third manifold, a fourth manifold which is different from the first three manifolds and in fluid communication with the second and fourth flow field outlets, and a fourth desiccant in the fourth manifold. The first desiccant is capable of desorbing water when it is above 100 degrees C.Preferred Materials: The first desiccant comprises molecular sieves, silica gels, or clays. It comprises granules in a water vapor-permeable container, or a compressed block.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The to-be-occluded material is occluded in the hollow part formed between the cylindrical material and the inclusion material.The maximum inter-adjacent atom spacing d of the cylindrical material and the inclusion substance is 3.4-13 Angstrom .The substance occluding material contains a catalytic metal contained in the inclusion material. The content of catalytic material is at most 10 weight% by weight ratio.The catalytic metal comprises a metal material which has the catalytic effect which dissociates hydrogen molecules into hydrogen atoms.The catalytic metal comprises Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd or Pt.The cylindrical material is formed by carbon nanotubes. The inclusion material is a fullerene carbon material.The to-be-occluded substances is a gas such as hydrogen gas, nitrogen gas or oxygen gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Details: The opening angle of the conical distributor is 60 degrees - 110 degrees.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The porous material is electrically-heated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The anode electrode includes an anode catalyst, a proton-conducting ionomer, and a hydrophobic additive. The cathode electrode includes a cathode catalyst, a proton-conducting ionomer, or a hydrophobic additive. A hydrogen purification device is connected to the cathode chamber to receive hydrogen gas, from which it removes liquid.Preferred Property: The electrolytic membrane has a thickness of 0.05-0.5 mm and an ionic conductivity of greater than 1/ohm/cm. The anode catalyst is applied with a loading 0.1-4 mg/cm2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The anode catalyst includes platinum, ruthenium, titanium dioxide, rhodium, iridium, rhenium, tin, or osmium. It can include palladium, tungsten, rhodium, iron, cobalt, nickel, molybdenum (MoO3), niobium (Nb2O5), or zirconium (ZrO2). The cathode catalyst includes platinum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The solid electrolyte membrane comprises a polymer material including a perfluorinated proton-exchange membrane material or a co-polymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinylether sulfonic acid. The polymer material includes a carboxylic acid, polystyrene sulfonic acid, pr poly(vinylidene fluoride). The proton-conducting ionomer includes a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorovinyl ether sulfonic acid. The hydrophobic additive includes a tetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organic fuel comprises methanol, dimethoxymethane, trimethoxymethane, trioxane, formaldehyde, or formic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The non-woven fabrics comprise polyolefin-type fabrics, especially containing a polypropylene resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The bending stress of separator satisfies the specific relationship according to JIS K7171 specifications.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Properties: The graphite comprises both a hexagonal and a rhombohedral structure. The particles have a lithium deintercalation capacity of at least 320 mAh/g. The graphite has an intensity ratio (P2/P1) of less than 0.92, where P1 is the diffraction peak appearing in a diffraction angle of 41.7-42.7 degrees in an X-ray diffraction pattern using a CuK (sic) alpha ray, and P2 is a diffraction peak appearing in a diffraction angle of 42.7-43.7 degrees in the diffraction pattern. It has an intensity ratio (P3/P1) of less than 0.75, where P3 is a diffraction appearing in a diffraction angle of 45.3-46.6 degrees in the diffraction pattern. It has a half band width P4 of less than 0.45 degrees, where P4 is a diffraction peak appearing in a diffraction angle of 43.7-45 degrees in an X-ray diffraction pattern using a CuK alpha ray.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The graphite particles are obtained by pulverizing natural graphite crystals. The silicon content of the graphite is less than 10 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The layer of lead-tin containing alloy is applied by electrodeposition or vapor deposition. A portion(s) of the surfaces is coated with an electrically conductive lead-containing paste to form a lead-acid battery plate. The coated substrate is washed by distilled water rinse, alkaline wash, distilled water wash, acetone wash and acetone dipping.Preferred Condition: The electrodeposition is conducted at cell voltage of 0.3-0.7 V and at 20-25 degreesC. It is dried in a nitrogen atmosphere.Preferred Component: The electrode includes structure to mount and form a functional electrode in a battery.Preferred Property: The surface area (1) of the pores in the substrate is 500-20,000 square meters per cubic meter of substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The substrate contains carbon or aluminum. The vitreous carbon contains 20-30 pores per inch of measured length.Preferred Material: The carbon is reticulated vitreous carbon forming the pores. The substrate is a conductive metal formed as a reticulated structure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The tin content of the alloy is 0.2-3 wt.% of the alloy.Preferred Property: The alloy is 20-2,000 microns thick.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The paste includes lead sulfate and/or lead oxide. The electrode deposition solution contains tin tetrafluoroborate, lead tetrafluoroborate, deionized water, boric acid, fluoroboric acid and gelatin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The sensor assembly detects a first and second triggering events, the first is related to one of water and carbon-containing feedstock delivered to the reservoir and the second is related to the remaining water and carbon-containing feedstock. Each triggering event includes measurable event in predetermined threshold value or range of values representative of water, carbon-containing feedstock or total liquid in reservoir is reached or exceeded. The feedstock delivery system produces a feed stream containing a mix ratio of water and carbon-containing feedstock. It produces feed stream containing 10-50 (preferably at least 100)% more water than stoichiometric mix ratio of water to carbon-containing feedstock.The sensor assembly includes sensor external or internal the reservoir. It can be a gravimetric or volumetric reservoir. he sensor can be refractive index sensor, densitometer, viscometer, spectrophotometer, or electrical conductive sensor. The reservoir includes partition for segregating reservoir into two regions such as neck having reduced cross-sectional area compared to the rest of the region. The reservoir including a mixing device to promote mixing of carbon-containing feedstock and the water in the reservoir. The carbon-containing feedstock is soluble in water or emulsion with water and may further include surfactant.The system further comprises computerized controller for regulating the flow of the streams into the reservoir in response to triggering events detected by the sensor assembly.The system comprises a fuel cell stack to receive product hydrogen stream and to produce an electric current, and energy consuming device to draw a portion of electric current produced by fuel cell stack.Preferred Method: The two feedstock components are mixed to form an emulsion before being delivered as feed stream to the fuel processor. The feedstock components are delivered to a reservoir.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The sealant consists of the polyolefin layer which is chosen from a group containing a low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, an acid desaturation polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene, butene and propylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Plant: The micro-disintegrating and pre-gasifying device comprises a reception member arranged to receive the liquid refuse from a feed conduit and to receive the solid refuse already micro-disintegrated within a plant portion presenting the micro-disintegrator, with the reception member also receiving steam at high pressure and high temperature. The micro-disintegrator comprises at least one disintegrating unit which receives the refuse mixed with steam fed by a suitable unit, a feed member, and a conveying member which transfers the micro-disintegrated refuse to an exit provided in a tapered part. The disintegrator comprises movable disintegrating blades. The plant comprises at least two disintegrating units connected in cascade, the first receiving the solid refuse to be micro-disintegrated through a screw feeder at which the refuse arrives from a hopper provided with a mixer, and the second feeding the micro-disintegrated refuse to the reception member. Between the reception member and the second disintegrating unit there is a transfer unit. The disintegrating unit comprises a regulator controlling the flow of micro-disintegrated refuse to the reception member.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The filler has an average particle size of not more than 1mum. X-R is not more than 3, preferably not more than 2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The porous film is polyolefin resin containing 10 wt.% of polyolefin having a molecular chain length of at least 2850 nm. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 35 parts by volume of hydrotalcite and 65 parts by volume of polypropylene resin were kneaded, and then extruded to prepare an unstretched film having a thickness of 60 mum. The unstretched film was stretched to 4 times at 130degreesC to give a porous film of 34mum thickness. The hydrotalcite in the porous film has an average particle size of 0.5mum. The air permeability and the average pore diameter of the porous film were measured. The film had a T-(GUR) (sec/100cm3) of 260; a d(mum) of 34; and an X-R of 1.2. The film was used in a cell which exhibited loading characteristics of 93, 82, and 36%, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Naphtha: The naphtha is hydrotreated and then hydrogenated, or hydrotreated and hydrogenated in a single stage.Preferred Fuel Cell: The fuel cell is selected from solid oxide, proton exchange membrane, phosphoric acid and molten carbonate fuel cells.Preferred Fuel: The naphtha-based fuel has carbon monoxide content of less than 10 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The salt of an organic acid is selected from the group consisting of lithium formate, beryllium formate, aluminum formate, sodium formate, magnesium formate, potassium formate, calcium formate, ammonium formate, lithium acetate, beryllium acetate, sodium acetate, magnesium acetate, aluminum acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, ammonium acetate, lithium propionate, beryllium propionate, sodium propionate, magnesium propionate, aluminum propionate, potassium propionate, calcium propionate, ammonium propionate, lithium butyrate, beryllium butyrate, sodium butyrate, magnesium butyrate, aluminum butyrate, potassium butyrate, calcium butyrate, ammonium butyrate and their hydrates and the mixtures.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Construction: The cell includes a perimeter spacer in cooperation with the 1st surface of the anode. The anode is shaped so that it is not present in the flow path where eddying and stagnation may occur.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Plate: The bipolar plate is a graphite plate.Preferred Composition: The alloy further comprises carbon, manganese, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, molybdenum, niobium and copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Features: The fins or bars in partial regions are thermally decoupled from plates delimiting each chamber. The fins or bars are decoupled via a splitting chamber (7), an insulating layer or a foamed material between the fins or bars and the plates. The insulating layer or foamed material is made from a ceramic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: A cell (110A) is provided with a separator (140A) that separates the cell into a cathode (132A) compartment (130A) and an anode (122A) compartment (120A).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The compound is indium, bismuth, tin, gallium, thallium, diindium trioxide, dibismuth trioxide, tin oxide, or digallium trioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The electrolyte comprises methane sulfonic acid that forms a complex with cerium (Ce) when the methane sulfonic acid is deprotonated and when the Ce is in a cationic form.The methane sulfonic acid further forms a complex with the second element when the methane sulfonic acid is deprotonated and when the second element is in a cationic form. It comprises a chelating agent from ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid.The electrolyte may also comprise a compound that reduces hydrogen over-potential.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The reactant gas comprises acetylene and/or ethylene.Preferred Method: Ammonia gas is introduced into the chamber to activate the catalytic coating. The carbon nanotubes are grown in an orthogonal direction to a longitudinal axis of the substrate, or in a radial direction of the rod. Air is evacuated from the chamber by forming a vacuum in the chamber, or by displacement with an inert gas. The substrate is heated to 650-900 degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Coating: The catalytic coating is chosen from cobalt, nickel, iron, chromium and/or their alloys.Preferred Substrate: The substrate is made of at least one material chosen from carbon, metal and a ceramic, and is in the form of a rod or fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The lithium salt is lithium perchlorate, lithium trifluoro methane sulfonate, lithium tetrafluoro borate, lithium hexafluoro phosphate, lithium hexafluoro arsenate or lithium compound (Li(CF3SO2)2N). Preferred Definitions:    X1,X2 = methyl, trifluoromethyl or ethyl; and    j = 2.    EXAMPLE - An electrolyte composition comprising 1,1,1-tris(4-polyethoxylate phenyl) ethane triacrylate (in g) (1), poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (5.95), lithium trifluoromethane sulfonate (1.202) and dimethoxy phenyl acetophenone (0.097), was prepared. The obtained electrolyte composition was coated on a conductive glass substrate and irradiated with ultraviolet rays under nitrogen stream to form a polymeric thin film. The polymeric thin was transparent and had excellent adhesive power. The ionic conductivity of the polymeric film was 7.3x10-4 S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Layers: The inner layer contains (wt.%) calcium (0.04-0.06) and tin (1.4-1.8), and the surface layer contains calcium (0.07-0.1) and tin (1.4-1.8).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The oxygen amount in the inner surface of the reactor is produced up to a depth of 0.5 micrometers which is twice as large as the nickel amount in the inner surface. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The oxidant is specifically claimed as a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Inorganic Material: The mesoporous inorganic material is selected from silica, aluminum silicate and alumina.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - Preferred Mesoporous Material: The mesoporous inorganic material includes molecular sieve selected from group consisting of LTL, FAU, MOR, MFI, MEL, MTW, MTT, MFS, FER, TON, zeolite L, zeolite X, zeolite Y, mordenite, zeolite beta, ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-22, silicalite 1 and silicalite 2 defined by IUPAC commission of zeolite nomenclature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The low temperature hydrogen storage alloy has been modified to create heterogeneity within the spectrum of hydride bond strengths, with body-centered cubic structure(s) by incorporation of barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), cesium (Cs), potassium (K), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), niobium (Nb), nickel (Ni), rubidium (Rb), tantalum (Ta), tellurium (Tl) and/or tungsten (W).It remains non-pyrophoric upon exposure to ambient atmosphere even after 400 or 1100 hydrogen charge/discharge cycles. It comprises titanium, zirconium, vanadium (V), chromium, and Mn. It further comprises iron and aluminum; and Ba, Co, Cu, Cs, K, Li, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, Rb, Ta, Tl, and/or W.Preferred Composition: The storage alloy contains Zr1Ti33V12.54Cr15Mn36Fe2.25Al0.21 or Zr1.5Ti32.5V12.54Cr15Mn36Fe2.25Al0.21.It preferably contains:(i) 0.5-10 at.% Zr;(ii) 29-35 at.% Ti;(iii) 10-15 at.% V;(iv) 13-20 at.% Cr;(v) 32-38 at.% Mn;(vi) 1.5-3.0 at.% Fe; and(vii) 0.05-0.5 at.% Al.It further contains 1-10 at.% total of Ba, Co, Cu, Cs, K, Li, Mm, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, Rb, Ta, Tl and/or W.Preferred Property: The storage alloy has a hydrogen storage capacity of at least1.5 (preferably at least1.9) wt.%. EXAMPLE - A hydrogen storage alloy (designated OV555) having the composition Zr1Ti33V12.54Cr15Mn36Fe2.25Al0.21 (all atomic subscripts were based upon a total of 100 atoms) was made by melting and casting into ingot. It was comminuted by crushing followed by successive hydriding and dehydriding cycles. The material was allowed to outgas to evolve and release as much hydrogen as possible. Several grams of the outgassed powder were poured in a cascade through ambient atmosphere from a height of 75 cm into a metal bucket having an open diameter of 30 cm. The powder warmed considerably and began to glow but did not ignite. The test was repeated with the same results.