摘要:
Rewritable signs (100, 1300) that include bistable cholesteric liquid crystal layers (102, 1402, 1404, 1406) are provided. According to one embodiment a rewritable sign (100) is devoid of circuitry for establishing electric fields in localize regions for writing information to the rewritable sign (100), and is consequently inexpensive. In the latter embodiment, a separate information writer (400) that includes an array of pixel electrodes (404) that is driven by an active matrix (602) is used to write information on the rewritable sign. According to another embodiment a rewritable sign (1300) includes three cholesteric liquid layers (1402, 1404, 1406) each of which reflects a different primary color. The three cholesteric liquid crystal layers (1402, 1404, 1406) are interleaved with sets of conductive lines (1316, 1320, 1322, 1324) that are used to apply signals to the cholesteric liquid crystal layers (1402, 1404, 1406) for the purpose of writing information.
摘要:
A membrane electrode assembly consists of a polymer electrolyte membrane (100) with an electrode on each side. The polymer electrolyte membrane has an integral sensor (115) disposed on the surface. The sensor monitors the physical, thermal, chemical or electrical state of the membrane electrode assembly. Information obtained from the sensor is used to identify a defective membrane electrode assembly, and the operation of the fuel cell is altered based on the identified defective membrane electrode assembly.
摘要:
A planar fuel cell (20) is provided, including a membrane electrode assembly (23) sandwiched between two current collector assemblies (21, 22). The membrane electrode assembly is a single sheet of a polymer electrolyte membrane with an array of anodes (27) on one side and an array of corresponding cathodes (28) on the other side. The current collectors (25) can be supported by a plastic frame (24), and they have an interconnect tab (26) that provides an electrical pathway to the exterior of the membrane electrode assembly. The interconnect tab is situated to provide electron transfer between the anodes and the cathodes such that the interconnect tab does not traverse the thickness of the polymer electrolyte membrane. When the planar fuel cell is assembled, the interconnect tab is sealed to prevent leaking of fuel or oxidant gases. Fuel is distributed (36) to only one side of the membrane electrode assembly and oxidant is distributed (36) only to the other side.
摘要:
A direct methanol fuel cell system 100 uses dissolved catalyst to promote a fuel cell reaction that takes place in an anode sub-chamber 110 of a fuel cell 102. According to the preferred embodiment the dissolved catalyst comprises a macro cyclic coordinated compound of platinum. The dissolved catalyst is preferably continuously circulated through the anode sub-chamber 110, and is preferably mixed in a mixing valve 118 with methanol and water in order to promote its catalytic action.
摘要:
The invention provides a device for generating energy, utilizing a fuel cell. Air is freely guided to the fuel cell, while a fuel gas is provided to the fuel cell from a pressurized fuel supply via a regulator. The portable power supply is most applicable to use with handheld electric devices, and contains a fuel storage means (110) for storing a supply of fuel, a fuel delivery means (120) connected to the fuel storage means, an energy conversion device (140) connected to the fuel delivery means for converting the fuel to electricity. The fuel storage means, the fuel delivery means, and the energy conversion device are all contained in a volume less than 500 cubic centimeters.
摘要:
An ultrasonically welded joint is made by placing a thermoplastic film (5) between two thermoplastic members (10, 20). The two thermoplastic members each have a mating part of a complex joint. One part of the joint, known as the shear joint (40), serves to shear away part (6) of the film when the two members come together, and another section of the same joint, known as the mash joint (30), serves to bond the film and the two members all together during the ultrasonic welding process.
摘要:
A housing (12) for use in a portable electronic device (10) includes an outer visible surface (14). The outer visible surface (14) is composed of an appearance changing substance responsive to an environmental stimulus.