Case Western Reserve University

The University of Akron

Robert F Savinell

Morton H Litt

Jesse S Wainright

Chung-Chiun Liu

Gary E Wnek

Steven Selverston

Zhihong Jin

Enoch A Nagelli

Yue Zhang

A battery system comprising a sealed aqueous flow battery that employs a passive, in-tank electrolyte recombination system. The recombination system allows for electrolyte stabilization in batteries where hydrogen evolution may occur as a side reaction without the need to use any externally-supplied rebalancing reactants. The system is a passive system that does not require a control system, additional pumps, or pumping energy.

Sealed aqueous flow battery systems with in-tank electrolyte rebalancing

A composite membrane for use in flow batteries is contemplated. The membrane comprises a hydrogel, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), applied to a polymeric microporous film substrate. This composite is interposed between two half cells of a flow battery. The resulting membrane and system, as well as corresponding methods for making the membrane and making and operating the system itself, provide unexpectedly good performance at a significant cost advantage over currently known systems.

Composite membranes for flow batteries

An iron based redox flow cell. The redox flow cell comprises a first half-cell comprising a first electrolyte providing a source of Feions and an electrode disposed within the first half-cell; a second half-cell comprising a second electrolyte providing a source of Feand Feions and an electrode disposed within the second half-cell; and a separator between the first and second half-cells, where (a) the second electrolyte comprises a Festabilizing agent; (b) the first electrolyte comprises a hydrogen evolution suppressing agent; or (c) the first electrolyte comprises a hydrogen evolution suppressing agent, and the second electrolyte comprises a Festabilizing agent.

Iron flow batteries

Sulfonated polyimide polymers incorporating bulky monomers are disclosed. The polymers have a liquid crystalline structure and exhibit high conductivity, high water uptake and water stability over a range of relative humidities and temperatures. The polymers are particularly adapted for use as a polymer electrolyte membrane in fuel cells.

Rigid rod ion conducting copolymers

A tin oxide sol is deposited on platinum electrodes (12) of a sensor (10). The sol is calcined at a temperature of 500 to 800.degree. C. to produce a thin film of tin oxide with a thickness of about 150 nm to 2 .mu. and having a nano-crystalline structure with good stability. The sensor rapidly detects reducing gases, such as carbon monoxide, or hydrocarbons and organic vapors. Sensors using films calcined at around 700.degree. C. have high carbon monoxide selectivity with a response time of around 4 minutes and a recovery time of 1 minute, and therefore provide good detection systems for detection of trace amounts of pollutants such as toxic and flammable gases in homes, industrial settings, and hospitals.

Nano-crystalline porous tin oxide film for carbon monoxide sensing

An acid solution for casting solid polymer electrolyte membranes comprising proton conducting polymers stable at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C. directly from acid solution. The invention further relates to the enhanced performance of these membranes with respect to conductivity. Particularly, the invention relates to the use of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as an acid solvent doped with H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 from which polybenzimiadazole (PBI) solid polymer electrolyte membranes may be cast.

Proton conducting polymer electrolyte prepared by direct acid casting

A method for casting solid polymer electrolyte membranes comprising proton conducting polymers stable at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C. directly from acid solution. The invention further relates to the enhanced performance of these membranes with respect to conductivity. Particularly, the invention relates to the use of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as an acid solvent doped with H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 from which polybenzimiadazole (PBI) solid polymer electrolyte membranes may be cast.

Proton conducting solid polymer electrolytes prepared by direct acid

Proton conducting polymers prepared by direct acid casting

The subject invention relates to solid polymer electrolyte membranes comprising proton conducting polymers stable at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C., the polymer being basic polymer complexed with a strong acid or an acid polymer. The invention further relates to the use of such membranes in electrolytic cells and acid fuel cells. Particularly, the invention relates to the use of polybenzimidazole as a suitable polymer electrolyte membrane.

Proton conducting polymers used as membranes

A hybrid redox-halogen energy storage device and system has a housing divided into two chambers by a microporous separator. Each chamber can contain an electrolyte such as CrCl.sub.3. The microporous separator keeps the C.sub.r.sup.+2 ion in the chamber containing the negative electrode and also keeps chlorine gas (Cl.sub.2) in the positive electrode chamber.

Metal-halogen energy storage device and system

A hybrid redox-halogen energy storage device and system has a housing divided into two chambers by an anionic membrane. One chamber has an inert negative electrode in an electrolyte solution containing chromium ions. The remaining chamber has an inert positive electrode containing chlorine gas dissolved therein. Each electrolyte is circulated to a separate storage tank after passing through its respective chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Solon, OH, United States of America

Robert F Savinell