A storage stable fluid delivery device including a gas generator in which moisture (water) is involved in the gas generation reaction in which moisture containment is utilized to prevent or retard water loss as disclosed. The moisture containment may be a moisture impermeable membrane as a permanent part of the device and may be utilized in conjunction with the gas generator when the membrane has high gas permeability for the gas being generated. The fluid delivered by such device is typically a liquid having some particular utility in its environment. The liquid dispensed may be a pharmaceutical or some other liquid having a beneficial or curative effect upon an animal or human patient or it may be a liquid such as an insecticide, fumigant, fragrance or other liquid having a relatively high vapor pressure.
A case of a secondary battery in which a battery unit having a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, laminated in sequence, is accommodated. One such case includes a fluorocarbon resin based polymer layer as the innermost layer of the case, a nylon layer as the outermost layer of the case, and an aluminum foil layer between the fluorocarbon resin based polymer layer and the nylon layer.
The invention is a hydrogen generator for supplying hydrogen to the anode of a fuel cell and electrons to the fuel cell electrical circuit. The hydrogen generator employs a consumable electrode comprising an alkali metal which is brought into contact with an aqueous solution of its hydroxide liberating hydrogen. The hydrogen generator operates as an alkaline cell electrode emersed in the electrolyte that is continuously being formed by the oxidation of the alkali metal within the electrode by its reaction in the electrolyte with the cycled water produced at the cathode of the fuel cell. The current flow within the hydrogen generator internal circuit of the reaction chamber is approximately equivalent to the feed rate of the consumable electrode into the electrolyte and the quantity of hydrogen formed is proportional to the equivalent weight of the water reacted.
Improved electrolytic cells are described. The cells comprise the novel electrolyte K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4, or a less alkaline phosphate buffer solution, electrodes having a modified composition, or a combination of the new electrolyte and a modified composition electrode. The K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4 electrolyte, or less alkaline phosphate buffer solution, and modified electrodes can be used in liquid delivery devices which deliver a liquid agent at a constant rate or a controlled variable rate over a period of time.
In one embodiment, a fluidic module, such as a microfluidic module, has a fluid-flow channel, an electroosmotic flow membrane positioned in the channel, and a cathode located on one side and an anode located on the other side of the membrane so that an electrolyte in the channel is transported through the membrane in the presence of a voltage. In another embodiment, the channel has a port, a flexible and fluid-impermeable diaphragm is added, the electrolyte is contained in a reservoir, and the membrane moves the bladder which acts as a valve for fluid leaving the channel through the port. In a further embodiment, electrolyte in a first reservoir is transported through the membrane to move the bladder to force fluid out of a second reservoir.
