Maria R Medeiros

US Patent:

6465124, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Jul 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/632012

Inventors:

Maria G. Medeiros - Bristol RI
Eric G. Dow - Barrington RI
Russell R. Bessette - Mattapoisett MA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01M 436

US Classification:

429105, 429101

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an improved magnesium semi-fuel cell which has a magnesium anode, a seawater/catholyte electrolyte, preferably containing acid to solubilize solid precipitates, and an electrocatalyst composed of palladium and iridium catalyzed onto carbon paper. The acid added to the electrolyte is preferably selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, and mixtures thereof.

US Patent:

6740220, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Jul 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/632011

Inventors:

Maria G. Medeiros - Bristol RI
Eric G. Dow - Barrington RI
Russell R. Bessette - Mattapoisett MA
James M. Cichon - Stamford CT

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

C25D 356

US Classification:

205102, 205103, 205159, 205257

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a method of producing an electrocatalytic cathode for use in an electrochemical cell system comprising the steps of providing a carbon substrate and simultaneously depositing palladium and iridium on the carbon substrate by cyclic voltammetry or by controlled potential coulometry. The simultaneous deposition of the palladium and iridium is preferably carried out using a solution containing 1. 0 mM palladium chloride, 2. 0 mM sodium hexachloroiridate, 0. 2M potassium chloride, and 0. 1M hydrochloric acid.

US Patent:

6849356, Feb 1, 2005

Filed:

Jan 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/037808

Inventors:

Eric G. Dow - Barrington RI, US
Susan G. Yan - Fairport NY, US
Maria G. Medeiros - Bristol RI, US
Russell R. Bessette - Mattapoisett MA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01M 436
H01M 448
H01M 620
H01M 630
H01M 634

US Classification:

429105, 429110, 429119

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an improved semi-fuel cell and an improved cathode used therein. The semi-fuel cell stack comprises a housing, an anode within the housing, a porous cathode within the housing, an aqueous catholyte within the housing, an aqueous anolyte stream flowing in the housing, and a membrane for preventing migration of the catholyte through the porous cathode and into the anolyte stream. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the catholyte comprises an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, the anolyte comprises a NaOH/seawater solution, and the membrane permits passage of OH ions while inhibiting the passage of hydrogen peroxide. The membrane is attached to a surface of the cathode or alternatively, impregnated into the cathode.

US Patent:

7052741, May 30, 2006

Filed:

May 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/847765

Inventors:

Maria G. Medeiros - Bristol RI, US
Eric G. Dow - Barrington RI, US
Russell R. Bessette - Mattapoisett MA, US
Craig M. Deschenes - Somerset MA, US
Christopher N. Lafratta - Brighton MA, US
Armand F. Lewis - Mattapoisett MA, US
Yong K. Kim - Dartmouth MA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B05D 1/14
B05D 1/38

US Classification:

427464, 427462, 427470, 427115

Abstract:

A method is provided for the fabrication of a fibrous structure. Fibers are deposited in a hopper connected to an electrode. A mesh covers the hopper opening and the hopper is inverted and suspended over an adhesive coated substrate. An electric field is generated between the hopper and the substrate while the hopper is simultaneously shaken. As a result, fibers fall through the mesh, aligned along the electric field lines, travel through the electric field, and are coupled on one end thereof to the adhesive.

US Patent:

7195841, Mar 27, 2007

Filed:

Jan 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/637081

Inventors:

Steven P. Tucker - Portsmouth RI, US
Maria G. Medeiros - Bristol RI, US
Eric G. Dow - Barrington RI, US

Assignee:

The United States of America represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01M 4/36
H01M 4/48
H01M 6/20
H01M 6/30
H01M 6/34

US Classification:

429105, 429110, 429119, 429101

Abstract:

A system and a method of storage and dissolution of solid catholyte are provided. The system and the method employ a solid medium having a controlled surface from which solid catholyte particles suspended within a matrix of encapsulating species are dissolved and hydrolyzed producing hydrogen peroxide to be used in semi fuel cells of undersea vehicles. Encapsulating species are also dissolved and hydrolyzed rendering products completely usable in the semi fuel cell. Sodium peroxide is preferably used as the solid catholyte and potassium superoxide and/or sodium hydroxide are preferably used as encapsulating species.

US Patent:

7513968, Apr 7, 2009

Filed:

Jul 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/183310

Inventors:

Earl S. Nickerson - Little Compton RI, US
Maria G. Medeiros - Bristol RI, US
Wayne C. Tucker - Exeter RI, US
Russell R. Bessette - Mattapoisett MA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

B29C 65/00
B44C 3/08
B32B 37/00
H01M 2/08

US Classification:

156152, 156219, 156290, 156291, 429 35

Abstract:

Using a inch end mill a grid pattern of one inch squares or lands separated by concave troughs or grooves 0. 025 inches deep is milled on to the surface of a one quarter inch thick magnesium plate. A conductive barrier such as a titanium foil is then laid over the magnesium plate, and is then pressed into the pattern with a one inch thick 80 durometer rubber sheet. Pressure of 250 pounds per square inch is then applied to the rubber to create indentations in the foil creating the same pattern as the one on the magnesium plate. The foil is then removed. An electrically conductive adhesive is then screen printed on the magnesium lands only, avoiding the grooves. The titanium foil is oriented to the pattern on the magnesium plate and mated to the magnesium plate by applying 200 pounds per square inch of pressure.

US Patent:

7521149, Apr 21, 2009

Filed:

Aug 11, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/923610

Inventors:

Maria G. Medeiros - Bristol RI, US
Eric G. Dow - Barrington RI, US
Russell R. Bessette - Mattapoisett MA, US
Susan G. Yan - Fairport NY, US
Dwayne W. Dischert - Middletown RI, US

International Classification:

H01M 4/36
H01M 4/48
H01M 6/20

US Classification:

429105, 429 27

Abstract:

A new semi-fuel cell design that incorporates ion exchange membranes to create separate compartments for the anolyte and catholyte to flow through the semi-fuel cell thereby isolating the metal anode of the bipolar electrode from the catholyte while still allowing the necessary ion transfer to affect the necessary electrochemical balance for the reaction to take place in the semi-fuel cell.

US Patent:

7585580, Sep 8, 2009

Filed:

May 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/124639

Inventors:

Maria G. Medeiros - Bristol RI, US
Eric G. Dow - Barrington RI, US
Steven P. Tucker - Portsmouth RI, US
Russel R. Bessette - Mattapoisett MA, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01M 8/10
H01M 8/00

US Classification:

429 30, 429 13, 429 40, 429 44, 429105

Abstract:

A fuel cell and a method for using the fuel cell to make electricity, in which the fuel cell has an anode half-cell having an electrocatalytic anode and a liquid anolyte that is substantially isopropanol dissolved in seawater. The fuel cell has a cathode half-cell having an electrocatalytic cathode and a liquid catholyte that is substantially hydrogen peroxide dissolved in slightly acidic seawater. The half-cells share a common proton exchange membrane. When the anode and cathode are in electrical connection the isopropanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide, which is fugitive, and the hydrogen peroxide is reduced to water. In the method, the anolyte and the catholyte, which are in effect the fuel of the fuel cell, are metered and re-circulated as needed to produce the necessary electrical power. The electrocatalytic electrodes are typically comprised of palladium and iridium alloys.