Fcet, Inc.

C3 International, LLC

Ut-battelle, Inc.

Mark A Deininger

Leonid V Budaragin

D Morgan Spears, Ii

Mikhail Pozvonkov

Paul D Fisher

Norman H Garrett

Michael M Pozvonkov

Arvid E Pasto

Gerard Michael Ludtka

D Morgan Spears

Gerard M Ludtka

Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte include applying a metal compound to a first material in powder form thereby forming a slurry, applying the slurry to an electrode, and converting at least some of the metal compound to form a metal oxide, thereby forming the metal oxide electrolyte on the electrode. Unexpectedly, the metal oxide electrolyte may have an ionic conductivity greater than the bulk ionic conductivity of the first material and of the metal oxide, possibly because of the nature of the interface between the first material and the metal oxide.

Low temperature electrolytes for solid oxide cells having high ionic conductivity

Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. That substrate may be in nanobar form that conforms to an orientation imparted by a magnetic field or an electric field applied before or during the converting. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.

The present invention provides solid oxide cells such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors comprising an electrolyte having an interface between an yttria-stabilized zirconia material and a glass material, in some embodiments. Other embodiments add an interface between a platinum oxide material and the yttria-stabilized zirconia material in the electrolyte. Further embodiments of solid oxide cells have an ion-conducting species such as an ionic liquid or inorganic salt in contact with at least one electrode of the cell. Certain embodiments provide room temperature operation of solid oxide cells.

Low temperature solid oxide cells

Methods for forming a metal oxide electrolyte improve ionic conductivity. Some of those methods involve applying a first metal compound to a substrate, converting that metal compound to a metal oxide, applying a different metal compound to the metal oxide, and converting the different metal compound to form a second metal oxide. Electrolytes so formed can be used in solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, among other applications.

The invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.

Methods for providing prophylactic surface treatment for fluid processing systems and components thereof

The present invention provides solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, solid oxide sensors, components of any of the foregoing, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises an air electrode (or cathode), a fuel electrode (or anode), an electrolyte interposed between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and at least one electrode-electrolyte transition layer. Other embodiments provide novel methods of producing nano-scale films and/or surface modifications comprising one or more metal oxides to form ultra-thin (yet fully-dense) electrolyte layers and electrode coatings. Such layers and coatings may provide greater ionic conductivity and increased operating efficiency, which may lead to lower manufacturing costs, less-expensive materials, lower operating temperatures, smaller-sized fuel cells, electrolyzer cells, and sensors, and a greater number of applications.

Solid oxide fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, and methods of making and using the same

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for creating a diffused thin film surface treatments on one or more interior surfaces of closed or partially closed fluid transport or processing systems providing improved surface prophylaxis against fouling. The method involves contacting the interior surfaces to be treated with a metal compound composition, and converting the metal compound composition to metal oxide for example by heating the surfaces to the desired temperature after all or a part of the system has been assembled. Embodiments of the present invention can be performed in situ on existing fluid processing or transport systems, which minimizes the disruption to the surface treatment created by welds, joints, flanges, and damage caused by or during the system assembly process.

The method is disclosed for coating or impregnating a metal tool with a metal oxide to render the metal part more resistant to liquid metal attack or micro-welds. The method includes the steps of applying a liquid metal carboxylate composition, or a solution thereof, to a substrate material, and exposing the substrate to an environment that will cause vaporization or dissipation of any excess carboxylic acids in the liquid metal carboxylate composition while the metal carboxylates are being converted to metal oxides.

Growing community of inventors

Roswell, GA, United States of America

Mark A Deininger