A method and apparatus is described for filling an electric cell which coises a compartment for receiving a liquid electrode, an electrolyte, and a constraining means in the compartment for constraining the liquid electrode to wet a surface of the electrolyte. The method comprises the steps of introducing liquid electrode material into the compartment, thereby to contact the constraining means with the liquid electrode material. The liquid electrode material is then subjected to a pressure suffi...

In a sodium-sulphur electric cell, a circuit breaking device responsive to temperature or current is inserted inside the cell in series in the internal electric circuit of the cell so as to open circuit the cell in the event of either an abnormal cell temperature or current. The circuit breaking device may be in the form of a fusible metal link or a temperature sensitive switch.

An electrolytic cell, for example for the manufacture of chlorine from sodium chloride brine, comprising an anode, a cathode and a diaphragm separating the anode and the cathode wherein the anode presents to the cathode a plurality of parallel elongated members carrying on at least part of their surfaces an electrocatalytically active coating and wherein said elongated members are rigidly mounted in the cell so that a substantial portion of said active surfaces is six millimeters or less from th...

Electrochemical cells and methods of making cells are disclosed. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes a housing, a negative electrode in the housing, a positive electrode in the housing, the positive electrode including a wax, and a separator between the negative and positive electrodes.

The invention described herein allows the production of recombinant retroviruses (retroviral vector particles) from producer cells which are safer and of higher titer than normal. In addition, methods are provided for making helper cells which, when a recombinant retrovirus genome is introduced to make a producer line, produce particles that are targeted toward particular cell types. Methods are also provided for making recombinant retrovirus systems adapted to infect a particular cell type, suc...

The invention includes a method of forming a rugged semiconductor-containing surface. A first semiconductor layer is formed over a substrate, and a second semiconductor layer is formed over the first semiconductor layer. Subsequently, a third semiconductor layer is formed over the second semiconductor layer, and semiconductor-containing seeds are formed over the third semiconductor layer. The seeds are annealed to form the rugged semiconductor-containing surface. The first, second and third semi...

Improved photovoltaic cells utilizing for a semiconductor layer, titanium dioxide powders, consisting of porous particles, ranging in size from 0.1 to 10 microns (10.sup.-6 meters), and possess relatively high bulk density combined with high surface area.

An electrochemical cell includes a hydrogen generator and a hydrogen fuel cell.

A method of production and apparatus for a fuel cell having three nested truncated cones. The inner cone is made of a porous metal sponge, such as nickel, and provides a media through which fuel can pass. The second cone is provided around the inner cone in use, and acts as a diffuser for the fuel to promote efficient contact with the third cone. The third cone is the fuel cell itself and includes an electrolyte component which provides a gas impermeable layer between fuel and oxidation sides of...

In one aspect, the invention features a method including sorbing carbon monoxide to a catalyst layer of a fuel cell, and oxidizing the carbon monoxide. The method can be used to pre-condition or activate the catalyst layer.