A direct alcohol fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which cathode section contains a cathode collection element electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, the cathode catalyst being in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and which anode section comprises an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The PEM is structured to have a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to a containment distance into the cathode section, and the cathode catalyst is located within the containment distance from the bottom. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

A direct alcohol fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which cathode section contains a cathode collection element electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, the cathode catalyst being in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and which anode section comprises an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The PEM is structured to have a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to a containment distance into the cathode section, and the cathode catalyst is located within the containment distance from the bottom. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

A proton conductor is in contact with a catalyst containing platinum. The proton conductor includes a cationic organic molecule, a metal ion, and an oxoacid anion. A protic ionic liquid containing the cationic organic molecule and the oxoacid anion is coordinated to the metal ion to form a coordination polymer.

A proton conductor is in contact with a catalyst containing platinum. The proton conductor includes a cationic organic molecule, a metal ion, and an oxoacid anion. A protic ionic liquid containing the cationic organic molecule and the oxoacid anion is coordinated to the metal ion to form a coordination polymer.

The disclosed technology generally relates to energy storage devices, and more particularly to redox batteries. In one aspect, a redox battery comprises a first half cell and a second half cell. The first half cell comprises a positive electrolyte reservoir comprising a first electrolyte contacting a positive electrode and has dissolved therein a first redox couple configured to undergo a first redox half reaction. The second half cell comprises a negative electrolyte reservoir comprising a second electrolyte contacting a negative electrode and has dissolved therein a second redox couple configured to undergo a second redox half reaction. The redox battery additionally comprises an ion exchange membrane separating the positive electrolyte reservoir and the negative electrolyte reservoir. The first half cell, the second half cell and the ion exchange membrane define a redox battery cell that is sealed in a casing.

A DNA or genome sequencing structure is disclosed. The structure includes an electrode pair, each electrode having a tip-shaped end, the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by facing tip-shaped ends; at least one conductive island deposited at or near each tip-shaped end; and a biomolecule having two ends, each end attached to the conductive islands in the electrode pair such that one biomolecule bridges over the nanogap in the electrode pair, wherein nucleotide interactions with the biomolecule provides electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing without the use of a fluorescing element.

A DNA or genome sequencing structure is disclosed. The structure includes an electrode pair, each electrode having a tip-shaped end, the electrodes separated by a nanogap defined by facing tip-shaped ends; at least one conductive island deposited at or near each tip-shaped end; and a biomolecule having two ends, each end attached to the conductive islands in the electrode pair such that one biomolecule bridges over the nanogap in the electrode pair, wherein nucleotide interactions with the biomolecule provides electronic monitoring of DNA or genome sequencing without the use of a fluorescing element.

A method for producing a catalyst for a fuel cell comprising: a) injecting carbon particles into a fluidized bed reactor; b) evacuating the fluidized bed reactor to form a base pressure; c) introducing a catalytic metal precursor together with a carrier gas into the fluidized bed reactor to contact the catalytic metal precursor with the carbon particles; d d) purging a purge gas into the fluidized bed reactor; e) introducing a reaction gas into the fluidized bed reactor to attach the catalytic metal precursor to the carbon particles; and f) purging a purge gas into the fluidized bed reactor, wherein, the catalytic metal is attached to the carbon particles in a form of nano-sized spot.

A method for producing a catalyst for a fuel cell comprising: a) injecting carbon particles into a fluidized bed reactor; b) evacuating the fluidized bed reactor to form a base pressure; c) introducing a catalytic metal precursor together with a carrier gas into the fluidized bed reactor to contact the catalytic metal precursor with the carbon particles; d d) purging a purge gas into the fluidized bed reactor; e) introducing a reaction gas into the fluidized bed reactor to attach the catalytic metal precursor to the carbon particles; and f) purging a purge gas into the fluidized bed reactor, wherein, the catalytic metal is attached to the carbon particles in a form of nano-sized spot.

The disclosed technology generally relates to energy storage devices, and more particularly to redox batteries. In one aspect, a redox battery comprises a first half cell and a second half cell. The first half cell comprises a positive electrolyte reservoir comprising a first electrolyte contacting a positive electrode and has dissolved therein a first redox couple configured to undergo a first redox half reaction. The second half cell comprises a negative electrolyte reservoir comprising a second electrolyte contacting a negative electrode and has dissolved therein a second redox couple configured to undergo a second redox half reaction. The redox battery additionally comprises an ion exchange membrane separating the positive electrolyte reservoir and the negative electrolyte reservoir. The first half cell, the second half cell and the ion exchange membrane define a redox battery cell that is sealed in a casing.