Mouth guard that includes a flexible printed circuit board encapsulated within a base member is provided. The flexible printed circuit board includes multiple separate stiff sections spaced apart from each other within the base member. One or more electronic devices are disposed within the base member. In particular, the one or more electronics are disposed on the base member.

A method detects electrical fault states of a plurality of energy storage cells interconnected with one another in series and/or in parallel in a removable battery pack using a first monitoring unit integrated in the removable battery pack and a multiplexer measuring apparatus, which can be controlled by the first monitoring unit to sequentially measure cell voltages of the energy storage cells. A further monitoring unit sends a command to the first monitoring unit to control the multiplexer measuring apparatus, and is provided in an electrical device, in particular a charging device, a diagnostic device or an electrical consumer, that can be electrically connected to the removable battery pack.

An improved or advanced electrically conductive selectively gas permeable anode flow field (SGPFF) design, allowing for efficient removal of CO.sub.2 perpendicular to the active area near the location where it is formed in the catalyst layer. The anode plate design includes two mating flow fields (an anode gaseous flow field, and an anode liquid flow field) separated by a semi-permeable separator. The separator comprises a hydrophobic semi-permeable separator for CO.sub.2 diffusive gas transport from the liquid side (with formic acid, water, and CO.sub.2) to the gaseous side (allowing for CO.sub.2 removal to the atmosphere).

A direct alcohol fuel cell having an inner housing, and a proton exchange membrane separating an anode section from a cathode section. The anode section contains an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst that is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The cathode section contains a cathode collection element having one or more ventilation holes is electrically connected to a cathode catalyst. An oleophobic filter and/or an anion-exchange membrane is provided, which cathode catalyst via the one or more ventilation holes and the oleophobic filter and/or the anion-exchange membrane is in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant. The inner housing has a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to contain the anode section, the PEM and the cathode section, the bottom and/or the walls having holes allowing fluid communication from a fuel supply to the anode section. The fuel cell is suited for microelectronic devices.

A thermal insulation device includes a first plate, a second plate formed to nest adjacent the first plate with a gap between the first and second plates, a porous material disposed in the gap between the plates, a sealing layer disposed between the first and second plates such that the porous material is sealed from ambient at a pressure less than ambient, and a vapor generating material disposed in the gap.

In various embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell is fabricated in part by disposing a functional layer between the cathode and the solid electrolyte.

In various embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell features a functional layer for reducing interfacial resistance between the cathode and the solid electrolyte.

A chemical cartridge or an oxygen generating breathing apparatus includes an outer canister and an inner canister with an interior space. At least one alkali hyperoxide or earth alkali hyperoxide that can act as an electrolyte in the presence of moisture and at least one first metallic material are provided in the interior space of the inner canister. At least one second metallic material is provided between the inner canister and the outer canister or is at least partially integrated into the outer canister wall. Between the inner canister including the first metallic material and the outer canister including the second metallic material an ion-permeable material is arranged such that the cartridge generates electrical power when in use by creating a potential between the first metallic material and the second metallic material when the at least one alkali hyperoxide or earth alkali hyperoxide is contacted by CO.sub.2 and moisture.

A device includes a container having a top plate containing an array of oxygen limiting pinholes and a chamber to hold a chemical hydride fuel, a fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly supported within the container between the top plate and the chamber, a first gas diffusion layer supported between the fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly and the top plate, and a second gas diffusion layer supported between the fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly and the chamber.

A rechargeable battery pack for a hand-held power tool, including a housing having at least first and second housing components, the pack including at least one cell holder, accommodating at least two battery cells in a parallel/series circuit, the battery cells each including two end faces extending perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis; and a pack electronics system including contact elements for establishing electrical connection between the pack and a power tool. The cell holder includes sleeve-like insulating walls, corresponding to the battery cells at least in some areas, to prevent electrical contact between the battery cells. A method for manufacturing a pack for a hand-held power tool, the cell holder including sleeve-like insulating walls, having cylindrical cell openings for accommodating the battery cells, the battery cells being pressed into the cell openings so that a form-locked and force-fit connection is established between the cell holder and the battery cells.