A gas atomization apparatus is disclosed for producing high purity fine refractory compound powders. After the system reaches high vacuum, a first stage inert atomizing gas breaks superheated metal melt into droplets and a second stage reactive atomizing gas breaks the droplets further into ultrafine droplets while reacts with them to form refractory compound powders. The first stage atomizing gas is inert gas able to break up melt into droplets and prevent crust formation on the nozzle front. A reaction time enhancer is arranged at bottom of reaction chamber to furnish a reactive gas flow in a reverse direction of the falling droplets and powders. Under the reverse gas flow, the falling droplets and powders change moving direction and travel longer distance in reaction chamber to increase reaction time. This apparatus can produce refractory powders with ultrahigh purity and uniform powder size while maintain high process energy efficiency.

Reinforcing bars include load transfer connectors. A link plate includes openings that mate with the load transfer connectors to overlie the splice between reinforcing bars being spliced. A cover plate may be fastened over the link plate.

Reinforcing bars include load transfer connectors. A link plate includes openings that mate with the load transfer connectors to overlie the splice between reinforcing bars being spliced. A cover plate may be fastened over the link plate.

Reinforcing bars include load transfer connectors. A link plate includes openings that mate with the load transfer connectors to overlie the splice between reinforcing bars being spliced. A cover plate may be fastened over the link plate.

Reinforcing bars include load transfer connectors. A link plate includes openings that mate with the load transfer connectors to overlie the splice between reinforcing bars being spliced. A cover plate may be fastened over the link plate.

A solid state hydrogen storage system and materials are provided. Hydrogen storage is provided by the formation of metal hydrides in a nanoporous metal framework. H.sub.2 can be effectively released from the hydride that is made directly during the synthesis processes at just 100 C. Dealloying using galvanic corrosion in a metal ion electrolyte and in a hydrogen containing atmosphere is used to create monolithic nanoporous metal frameworks and the simultaneous formation of metal hydrides within the porosity. The nanoporous frameworks have a tunable plasmon resonance and morphology. The system can reversibly store hydrogen in the nanoporous framework using hot electrons generated either by surface plasmons or by exothermic galvanic replacement reactions to form metal hydrides.

A solid state hydrogen storage system and materials are provided. Hydrogen storage is provided by the formation of metal hydrides in a nanoporous metal framework. H.sub.2 can be effectively released from the hydride that is made directly during the synthesis processes at just 100 C. Dealloying using galvanic corrosion in a metal ion electrolyte and in a hydrogen containing atmosphere is used to create monolithic nanoporous metal frameworks and the simultaneous formation of metal hydrides within the porosity. The nanoporous frameworks have a tunable plasmon resonance and morphology. The system can reversibly store hydrogen in the nanoporous framework using hot electrons generated either by surface plasmons or by exothermic galvanic replacement reactions to form metal hydrides.

A composite storage tank system for gaseous hydrogen comprises a composite storage tank having composite wall enclosing a gas storage volume, the composite wall including a metal hydride element, or a metal element capable of forming a metal hydride in the presence of hydrogen, the system further comprising measuring apparatus arranged to measure an electrical characteristic of the metal hydride element or the metal element. The history of leakage of gaseous hydrogen from the tank, the current rate of leakage and the physical condition of the composite wall in the vicinity of the metal or metal hydride element may be inferred from a measurement of the electrical characteristic, without taking the tank out of service as is required in the case of known leaks tests such as a vacuum test, helium leak test or hydrogen sniffing test.

A composite storage tank system for gaseous hydrogen comprises a composite storage tank having composite wall enclosing a gas storage volume, the composite wall including a metal hydride element, or a metal element capable of forming a metal hydride in the presence of hydrogen, the system further comprising measuring apparatus arranged to measure an electrical characteristic of the metal hydride element or the metal element. The history of leakage of gaseous hydrogen from the tank, the current rate of leakage and the physical condition of the composite wall in the vicinity of the metal or metal hydride element may be inferred from a measurement of the electrical characteristic, without taking the tank out of service as is required in the case of known leaks tests such as a vacuum test, helium leak test or hydrogen sniffing test.

Laves phase-related BCC metal hydride alloys historically have limited electrochemical capabilities. Laves phase-related BCC metal hydride alloys are provided herein with greater than 200 mAh/g capacities and commonly at or greater than 400 mAh/g capacities. By decreasing the temperature or increasing the hydrogen pressure the phase structure of the material a synergistic effect between multiple phases in the resulting alloy is achieved thereby greatly improving the electrochemical capacities.