University of Connecticut

Jung-Chou Lin

James M Fenton

H Russell Kunz

Antonio J Aldykiewicz, Jr

John E Dresty, Jr

Richard Bodensteiner

Chunzhi He

Michael B Cutlip

Ramakrishnan Venkataraman

A membrane electrode assembly comprising a composite membrane having a first major surface area and a second major surface area comprising a porous polymeric matrix containing ionically conductive solid and ionomeric binder, at least one protective layer disposed adjacent to the porous polymeric matrix membrane comprising an ionomeric binder and an ionically conductive solid, an anode comprising an oxidizing catalyst adjacent said first major surface area of said composite membrane and a cathode comprising a reducing catalyst adjacent said second major surface area of said composite membrane, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Membrane electrode assemblies using ionic composite membranes

Membranes, membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cells employing same, and process for preparing

A process for the delacquering and detinning of a metal substrate is presented comprising the fully electrochemical removal of both an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate. The disclosed method provides a clean metal substrate, and results in wastes which are easily disposed of with minimal cost and minimal environmental impact. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a one-stage process for removing an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate in a single electrolyte bath through electrolytic removal of both the polymeric and tin layers from the metal substrate. An electrically conductive container having the electrolyte bath therein acts as an anode in the process, and the removed tin is plated out on the cathode. In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a two-stage process for removing an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate. The first stage comprises removal of the polymeric coating in a first electrolyte bath through application of a cathodic current to a first electrically conductive container, e.g. tank, drum, or the like. The polymeric and tin coated metal substrate that is immersed in the first electrolyte bath is cathodically protected provided the coated metal substrate is in contact with the first electrically conductive container. The second stage comprises removal of the tin coating via application of moderate anodic currents to a second electrically conductive container, e.g. tank, drum, or the like. Such current results in the selective removal of tin from the substrate metal. The second electrically conductive container and the tin cans act as an anode in the process, and the removed tin is plated out on the cathode.

Method and apparatus for electrochemical delacquering and detinning

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Storrs, CT, United States of America

Jung-Chou Lin