An article having a continuous network of zinc and a continuous network of void space interpenetrating the zinc network. The zinc network is a fused, monolithic structure. A method of: providing an emulsion having a zinc powder and a liquid phase; drying the emulsion to form a sponge; annealing and/or sintering the sponge to form an annealed and/or sintered sponge; heating the annealed and/or sintered sponge in an oxidizing atmosphere to form an oxidized sponge having zinc oxide on the surface of the oxidized sponge; and electrochemically reducing the zinc oxide to form a zinc metal sponge.

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 redox flow battery is provided, including an ion-exchange membrane, a current collector plate, and an electrode that is disposed between the ion-exchange membrane and the current collector plate. The electrode includes a main electrode layer in which an electrolytic solution flows from a surface on the current collector plate side to a surface on the ion-exchange membrane side, and the main electrode layer includes a plurality of main electrode pieces which are arranged in parallel in a plane direction.

A redox flow battery is provided, including an ion-exchange membrane, a current collector plate, and an electrode that is disposed between the ion-exchange membrane and the current collector plate. The electrode includes a main electrode layer in which an electrolytic solution flows from a surface on the current collector plate side to a surface on the ion-exchange membrane side, and the main electrode layer includes a plurality of main electrode pieces which are arranged in parallel in a plane direction.

Apparatuses and methods of measuring a hydrogen diffusivity of a metal structure including during operation of the metal structure, are provided. A hydrogen charging surface is provided at a first location on an external surface of the structure. In addition, a hydrogen oxidation surface is provided at a second location adjacent to the first location on the external surface of the structure. Hydrogen flux is generated and directed into the metal surface at the charging surface. At least a portion of the hydrogen flux generated by the charging surface is diverted back toward the surface. A transient of the diverted hydrogen fluxes measured, and this measurement is used to determine the hydrogen diffusivity of the metal structure in service.

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 flow battery that includes an electrode and a catholyte including a sulfate solution where, during charge of the flow battery, the sulfate solution becomes a persulfate solution, and during discharge of the flow battery, the persulfate solution becomes a sulfate solution. The electrode may be an anolyte, or it may be an amorphous metal electrode.

A flow battery that includes an electrode and a catholyte including a sulfate solution where, during charge of the flow battery, the sulfate solution becomes a persulfate solution, and during discharge of the flow battery, the persulfate solution becomes a sulfate solution. The electrode may be an anolyte, or it may be an amorphous metal electrode.

The present invention relates to a bipolar plate with fibrous conductive materials inserted into the flow path and a redox flow battery including the bipolar plate. It is possible to realize the redox flow battery having an excellent energy efficiency while improving the charging/discharging capacity and efficiency regardless of the flow rate of the electrolyte solution, by increasing the retention time of the electrolyte solution in the flow path by the fibrous conductive materials to increase the chance of reaction with the electrode layer.