The invention provides a matrix material for the gas diffusion layer of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which is composed of three-dimensional porous and strip-shaped hexagonal chambers connected to each other, wherein the six-sided ribs are composed of two metal layers, the inside is metal nickel, and the outside is tungsten-nickel alloy. The total mass of metal per square meter of the material is: 1500˜3000 grams, the mass content of metal nickel in the material is 88˜92%, the mass content of metal tungsten is 8˜12%, and the rest are impurities; the thickness of the matrix material is 0.1˜0.2 mm, specific surface area is (1˜2)×10.sup.5 m.sup.2/m.sup.3; longitudinal air permeability ≥2000 m/mm/(cm.sup.2hmmAq), longitudinal thermal conductivity ≥1.7W/(m.Math.k), transverse thermal conductivity ≥21W/(m.Math.K). The porous nickel-tungsten metal material of the invention, as the matrix material of the gas diffusion layer, has the advantages of lower electrical resistance and higher strength compared with carbon paper.

The invention provides a matrix material for the gas diffusion layer of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which is composed of three-dimensional porous and strip-shaped hexagonal chambers connected to each other, wherein the six-sided ribs are composed of two metal layers, the inside is metal nickel, and the outside is tungsten-nickel alloy. The total mass of metal per square meter of the material is: 1500˜3000 grams, the mass content of metal nickel in the material is 88˜92%, the mass content of metal tungsten is 8˜12%, and the rest are impurities; the thickness of the matrix material is 0.1˜0.2 mm, specific surface area is (1˜2)×10.sup.5 m.sup.2/m.sup.3; longitudinal air permeability ≥2000 m/mm/(cm.sup.2hmmAq), longitudinal thermal conductivity ≥1.7W/(m.Math.k), transverse thermal conductivity ≥21W/(m.Math.K). The porous nickel-tungsten metal material of the invention, as the matrix material of the gas diffusion layer, has the advantages of lower electrical resistance and higher strength compared with carbon paper.

Iridium electroplating compositions containing 1,10-phenanthroline compounds in trace amounts to electroplate substantially defect-free uniform and smooth surface morphology indium on metal layers. The indium electroplating compositions can be used to electroplate indium metal on metal layers of various substrates such as semiconductor wafers and as thermal interface materials.

Iridium electroplating compositions containing 1,10-phenanthroline compounds in trace amounts to electroplate substantially defect-free uniform and smooth surface morphology indium on metal layers. The indium electroplating compositions can be used to electroplate indium metal on metal layers of various substrates such as semiconductor wafers and as thermal interface materials.

A battery comprising an anode comprising anode material in contact with a metal anode current collector. The battery further comprises a cathode comprising cathode material in contact with a cathode current collector comprising a transparent conducting oxide (TCO). The battery further comprises an electrolyte with a pH in a range of 3 to 7.

A method for extracting a rare earth element from a rare earth-containing substance, the method comprising mixing the rare earth-containing substance with a protic ionic liquid, such as:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is selected from hydrogen atom and hydrocarbon groups containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from hydrocarbon groups containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms; and X.sup.− is an anionic species; to produce a composition of the formula (RE)(amide).sub.yX.sub.z at least partially dissolved in the protic ionic liquid, wherein RE is at least one rare earth element having an atomic number selected from 39, 57-71, and 90-103; y is 2-6; z is a number that charge balances the total positive charge of RE; and the amide is the conjugate base of the cationic portion of the protic ionic liquid of Formula (1) and has the following formula:

##STR00002##

Techniques for electrodepositing selenium (Se)-containing films are provided. In one aspect, a method of preparing a Se electroplating solution is provided. The method includes the following steps. The solution is formed from a mixture of selenium oxide; an acid selected from the group consisting of alkane sulfonic acid, alkene sulfonic acid, aryl sulfonic acid, heterocyclic sulfonic acid, aromatic sulfonic acid and perchloric acid; and a solvent. A pH of the solution is then adjusted to from about 2.0 to about 3.0. The pH of the solution can be adjusted to from about 2.0 to about 3.0 by adding a base (e.g., sodium hydroxide) to the solution. A Se electroplating solution, an electroplating method and a method for fabricating a photovoltaic device are also provided.

Techniques for electrodepositing selenium (Se)-containing films are provided. In one aspect, a method of preparing a Se electroplating solution is provided. The method includes the following steps. The solution is formed from a mixture of selenium oxide; an acid selected from the group consisting of alkane sulfonic acid, alkene sulfonic acid, aryl sulfonic acid, heterocyclic sulfonic acid, aromatic sulfonic acid and perchloric acid; and a solvent. A pH of the solution is then adjusted to from about 2.0 to about 3.0. The pH of the solution can be adjusted to from about 2.0 to about 3.0 by adding a base (e.g., sodium hydroxide) to the solution. A Se electroplating solution, an electroplating method and a method for fabricating a photovoltaic device are also provided.

A method of making a light weight housing for an internal component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a first metallic foam core into a desired configuration; forming a second metallic foam core into a desired configuration; inserting an internal component into the first metallic foam core; placing the second metallic foam adjacent to the first metallic core in order to secure the internal component between the first metallic foam core and the second metallic foam core; and applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the first metallic foam core and the second metallic foam core.

A method of making a light weight housing for an internal component is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a first metallic foam core into a desired configuration; forming a second metallic foam core into a desired configuration; inserting an internal component into the first metallic foam core; placing the second metallic foam adjacent to the first metallic core in order to secure the internal component between the first metallic foam core and the second metallic foam core; and applying an external metallic shell to an exterior surface of the first metallic foam core and the second metallic foam core.