An electrochemical cell includes an air electrode in flow communication with a storage tank containing an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, a lithium electrode, a catalyst layer in contact with the air electrode or a gas diffusion layer associated with the air electrode, and a separator layer in contact with the lithium electrode and catalyst layer. The catalyst layer includes a catalyst for two electron reversible oxygen reduction. The catalyst comprises gold, and a cobalt coordination complex or polymer thereof. The cobalt coordination complex comprises a cobalt ion chelated by a tetradentate organic chelating ligand.

A porous electrode substrate has a form of a tape material and contains a structure made of carbon fibers and a carbon matrix. A specific surface area, porosity, and pore distribution are determined by the carbon matrix. The carbon matrix contains carbon particles including activated carbon with a high specific surface area and a carbonized or graphitized residue of a carbonizable or graphitizable binder.

The invention relates to a method of operating a zinc-bromine battery, especially at a high temperature, comprising adding 1-n-butyl-2-methyl-pyridinium bromide to the electrolyte of said battery, and charging or discharging said cell. Also provided is the use of 1-n-butyl-2-methyl-pyridinium bromide as an additive in a zinc-bromine battery operating at a temperature above 30 C., and an aqueous concentrate with high content of 1-n-butyl-2-methyl-pyridinium bromide.

The present invention includes a method including providing an anode and a cathode; providing a desalination device operably coupled to establish an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode when the desalination device is operating; providing water containing dissolved solids; thereby establishing the electrical potential; reducing a salinity of the water by supplying the water to the desalination device; and generating electrical power by reducing the salinity of the water.

A flowing electrolyte battery can be quickly and safely electrically stripped using electrolyte. The battery includes: a stack comprising a plurality of electrodes; a negative electrolyte circuit coupled to the stack, for circulating negative electrolyte through the stack; a positive electrolyte circuit coupled to the stack, for circulating positive electrolyte through the stack; and a valve coupling the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit. The valve includes a closed configuration that prevents flow of electrolyte between the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit, and an open configuration that enables flow of electrolyte from at least one of the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit to the other of the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit. The valve is opened and closed by changes in pressure differences between the positive and the negative electrolyte circuits.

A catalyst is provided for the two electron reduction of oxygen. The catalyst can be reversible or near-reversible. The catalyst comprises a gold and a cobalt coordination complex, i.e., N,N-bis(salicylidene)ethylene-diaminocobalt (II) (cobalt salen) or a derivative thereof. The cobalt coordination complex can be polymerized to form a film, for example, via electropolymerization, to cover a gold surface. Also provided are metal-air batteries, fuel cells, and air electrodes that comprise the catalyst, as well as methods of using the catalyst, for example, to reduce oxygen and/or produce hydrogen peroxide.

Provided is a terminal assembly for an electrochemical battery comprising a terminal connector; a conductive flat-plate with an electrically conducting perimeter; an electrically insulating tape member; and a terminal bipolar electrode plate. The electrically insulating tape member is in between the conductive flat-plate and the terminal bipolar electrode plate such that the electrically insulating tape member does not cover the entire surface area of the conductive flat-plate. The electrically conducting perimeter enables bi-directional uniform current flow through the conductive flat-plate between the terminal connector and the terminal bipolar electrode plate. Also provided is a battery frame member for a static rechargeable battery comprising a liquid diversion system; a gutter; a sealing member; a gas channel; and a ventilation hole. Also provided is a static rechargeable electrochemical battery comprising a pair of terminal assemblies, at least one bipolar electrode interposed between the pair of terminal assemblies, and a battery frame member.

A method for joining incompatible materials is provided that includes the steps of welding a first component formed of a thermoplastic material and a second component of a porous material to one another to form a subassembly and optionally molding a third component around the subassembly. The method enables the incompatible first component and the third component to be joined to one another, such as to form an electrolyte battery flow frame around an ion exchange material and/or microporous separator material in order to form a separator for an electrolyte flow battery.

An electrode and a method of manufacturing an electrode for a flowing electrolyte battery enable improved robustness and reduced manufacturing costs of bipolar electrodes for flowing electrolyte batteries. The electrode includes a polymer sheet having a first side and a second side; a graphite layer on the first side; and an activated carbon layer on the second side.

A portable object includes a case forming a housing inside which is arranged a device that requires air to operate, and a closure device including at least one permeable element. The closure device is arranged to provide impermeability to liquids while allowing the atmosphere inside the housing to communicate with the external atmosphere. The case comprises a recess in which a through opening is made, the recess being closed by the closure device. The closure device includes a permeable module mounted to move such that, in a gaseous environment, the permeable module is in a rest position allowing gases to penetrate the case opening through the permeable module, and in a liquid environment, the permeable module is in an operating position in which gases and liquids are blocked. The permeable module comprises a tubular support at the end of which is fixed a membrane.