An apparatus includes a first pump module, a second pump module and a sealing disc. The first pump module includes a first flange having a first opening, a second flange having a second opening and at least one first pump. The second pump module includes a third flange having a third opening, a fourth flange having a fourth opening, and at least one second pump. The sealing disc is positioned between and in sealing contact with the second flange and the third flange and has a disc opening with a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the second opening in the second flange and that is less than a cross-sectional area of the third opening in the third flange, where the disc opening is aligned with the first, second, third and fourth openings.

An ion pump controller configured to alternate between increasing and decreasing a potential difference between an anode and a cathode of an ion pump multiple times during the starting of pumping.

An ion pump controller configured to alternate between increasing and decreasing a potential difference between an anode and a cathode of an ion pump multiple times during the starting of pumping.

An electrochemical system having an electrochemical compressor with an operating voltage that is controlled by a controller is described. The operating voltage between a first and second electrodes separated by an ion conducting material, such as a proton conducting polymer, may be oscillated in a waveform. The controller may reduce the voltage to low pressure side of the electrochemical compressor to initiate electrolysis for a set time interval and then may change the operating voltage to operate the electrochemical cell in a compressor mode. When the electrochemical cell is operating in an electrolysis mode, in situ hydrogen is produced on the low pressure side that may be used as a electrochemically active component of the working fluid when the electrochemical cell is switched to a compressor mode. The controller may have a control program that automatically controls the operating waveform as a function of sensor input.

An electrochemical system having an electrochemical compressor with an operating voltage that is controlled by a controller is described. The operating voltage between a first and second electrodes separated by an ion conducting material, such as a proton conducting polymer, may be oscillated in a waveform. The controller may reduce the voltage to low pressure side of the electrochemical compressor to initiate electrolysis for a set time interval and then may change the operating voltage to operate the electrochemical cell in a compressor mode. When the electrochemical cell is operating in an electrolysis mode, in situ hydrogen is produced on the low pressure side that may be used as a electrochemically active component of the working fluid when the electrochemical cell is switched to a compressor mode. The controller may have a control program that automatically controls the operating waveform as a function of sensor input.

A turbomolecular pump is obtained in which a gas absorbing substance is placed without increasing the axial length of an inlet port due to the gas absorbing substance. The turbomolecular pump includes a rotor portion and a stator portion in a casing (outer cylinder 127). The turbomolecular pump includes a getter pump portion, which is placed in the stator portion or the casing, and a heater portion 402, which performs at least one of activation and regeneration of a gas absorbing substance 401 of the getter pump portion.

A turbomolecular pump is obtained in which a gas absorbing substance is placed without increasing the axial length of an inlet port due to the gas absorbing substance. The turbomolecular pump includes a rotor portion and a stator portion in a casing (outer cylinder 127). The turbomolecular pump includes a getter pump portion, which is placed in the stator portion or the casing, and a heater portion 402, which performs at least one of activation and regeneration of a gas absorbing substance 401 of the getter pump portion.

Ion separation media are described herein employing thermoelectric materials and architectures. In some embodiments, an ion separation medium comprises a layer of inorganic nanoparticles having a Seebeck coefficient sufficient to transport ionic species in a liquid medium along surfaces of the layer in the presence of a thermal gradient.

Ion separation media are described herein employing thermoelectric materials and architectures. In some embodiments, an ion separation medium comprises a layer of inorganic nanoparticles having a Seebeck coefficient sufficient to transport ionic species in a liquid medium along surfaces of the layer in the presence of a thermal gradient.

An ion pump with a housing enclosing an interior, a gas inlet having a through-hole extending into the interior of the ion pump, at least one cathode, at least one anode positioned in proximity to the at least one cathode, a magnet disposed on an opposite side of the at least one cathode from the anode, and a blocking shield disposed between the gas inlet and the at least one cathode. The blocking shield is electrically connected to the at least one anode. An associated method installs the blocking shield by inserting components of the blocking shield assembly through the gas inlet, and assembling (inside the interior of the ion pump) the inserted components to form the blocking shield.