A product distribution device for accommodating at least one row of products with products which can be arranged in succession on a support surface of a product guide element in a receiving space with the following features: at least one door for stocking the receiving space with the products, guide means which are guided along the support surface in one conveyance direction F for advancing the products in the conveyance direction F, a catch element which can be switched between one catch position of the conveyance means and one conveyance position of the conveyance means.

A board comprised of a wood structure having a first surface, a second surface, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge and opposing ends. Sound attenuating elements embedded within the wood structure and stiffening elements positioned within the wood structure to coincide with the location of floor joist to which the board will be secured. The boards further forming a ceiling/floor structure by laying a single set of the boards adjacent to each other and securing them to the floor joists.

The present invention relates to a straight edge device for use in conjunction with power tools such as radial saws, or table saws. The present invention is used for cutting an uneven edge of a board. The straight edge device includes a one piece board having a protuberance projecting from its lower surface that engages a groove of the table saw. The board is placed on the upper surface of the one piece board with the uneven edge hanging over the edges of the one piece board. As the straight edge device is pushed or pulled through the groove of the table saw, the cutting blade straights the uneven edge of the board.

A woodworking machine includes a base, an adjusting device, and an adjustable worktable. The adjusting device is engaged with the base and includes a platform, a plurality of adjusters, and a plurality of fastening members. The platform is slidably engaged with the base. The plurality of adjusters are adjustable, and the plurality of fastening members are releasably inserted through the plurality of adjustors respectively. The adjustable worktable is engaged with the adjusting device. Moreover, the platform bears the adjustable worktable and the plurality of adjusters are abutted against the adjustable worktable. Additionally, the adjustable worktable is adjustably moved upon adjusting of the adjustors, and prior to adjusting each adjustor, the fastening member engaged therewith is removed.

A device for at least one self-heated and dense ceramic tube for gas separation. The device includes at least one dense ceramic tube in an environment accessible to a mixture of gases, the at least one tube acting as a diffusion membrane for separating at least one gas from the mixture of gases. Two electrical contacts are provided which allow connecting a power supply to the ceramic tube and driving an electric current through the ceramic tube. The contacts can be in the farm of short coils wrapped around the ceramic tube at difference places. When a voltage is applied to the contacts, an electrical current flows from one contact to the other through the ceramic tube. The current in the ceramic tube heats the tube. Thus, the tubes heat themselves. The hot tube allows separating a gas from the mixture of gases. The driving force for the diffusion is achieved by a pressure difference generated by pumping at the side of the separated gas and pressing at the side of the mixture of gases.

A board straightening tool able to provide the force to straighten bent boards by simultaneously maintaining a grasping connection to both the joist being used to support the straightening device and the board being fastened to that joist, and maintaining a clearance between the straightening tool and board for the use of an Install the fastening device on the same joist that the tool is using for support is required to obtain the straightest installed boards possible and to maintain the maximum straightness of the deck board after the straightening device is released. The grasping pins are constructed either from a knurled metal for more grasp power or have a smooth surface providing for a reduction of marring of the joist. The tool also provides the force required to maintain consistently spaced gaps between the boards for a more desirable appearance.

An automated lumber handling system laser-scans the top profile of multiple stacks of lumber, each of which contain boards of a unique size. Based on the scanned profiles, the system determines the order in which individual boards from a chosen stack should be transferred to a numerically controlled saw. The saw cuts the boards to proper size, and in the proper sequence to facilitate orderly assembly of a roof truss or prefabricated wall. In some examples, the system lifts individual boards by driving two retractable screws, or some other piercing tool, down into the upward facing surface of the board. A track mounted cantilever, holding the screws and a laser unit, translates over the lumber stacks to retrieve and deliver individual boards and, while doing so, the laser repeatedly scans the stacked lumber profiles on-the-fly to continuously update the profiles. The open cantilever design facilitates replenishing the stacks of lumber.

The present invention relates to a one-touch chamfering-amount adjustment device for a chamfering machine which specifically carries out a chamfering process on the welding bead surfaces of objects to be processed (such as metal sheet materials and pipes). In the present invention, the moment after a chamfering-amount-adjustment piece has been manipulated so as to rotate, a position-setting pin is inserted into a securing recess in the chamfering-amount-adjustment piece and as this happens the chamfering amount is precisely adjusted in units and at the same time locking to the predetermined chamfering amount is automatically maintained, yet nevertheless the adjustment of the chamfering amount is achieved in a straightforward fashion with one touch, and, when the chamfering-amount-adjustment piece is manipulated, a cutter shaft moves vertically and as it does so the chamfering amount is adjusted in such a way that the chamfering amount can be immediately and rapidly adjusted even during working regardless of any cutter rotating action.

A method for detecting the three-dimensional structure of a log comprises the operating steps of: making the log (2) rotate axially, leaving it free to translate during the rotation;during said rotation repeating the step of detecting the relative surface structure of the log (2) at least at one log surface portion (13), so that the relative surface structure of substantially all of the points of at least the log (2) lateral surface is detected at least once; andcombining the relative surface structures detected to reconstruct an overall surface structure for at least the log (2) lateral surface,the detection steps being carried out in such a way that each detection step result shares at least several points with at least one other detection step result, while the step of combining the relative surface structures is carried out in such a way that the shared points are made to coincide with each other.

Methods are described for mechanically scraping surfaces of boards, such as flooring boards, to impart random-looking scraped profiles therein. An apparatus for mechanically scraping boards to form the scraped board products also is described. A board, such as a flooring board, having a random-looking scraped appearance that includes overlapping multiple scrape patterns is described. Boards, such as flooring boards, having a simulated rustic or distressed appearance made with the methods and apparatus also are described.

A lift device for selectively adjusting a vertical position of a power tool relative to a working surface of a plate of a work bench includes a carriage assembly securable to an underside of the plate. The carriage assembly includes a securement mechanism selectively adjustable for interchangeably securing a plurality of power tools of different cross-sectional dimensions to the carriage assembly. A drive assembly selectively moves the securement mechanism upward and downward relative to the plate to adjust the vertical position of the power tool relative to the working surface when the power tool is secured to the carriage assembly. A drive-locking mechanism selectively locks the drive assembly. The drive-locking mechanism includes a cam lock for selectively engaging the drive shaft to inhibit rotation of the drive shaft.

A retractable cord winder device, which has a front cover with center shaft, a spiral spring, a spool with a spool divider with flanged hook dividing the spool chamber into equal halves for efficient and minimal noise cable coiling, oval sliding positioning sliding disc, and a rear cover with concave recess to hold the oval positioning sliding disc with positioning stopper. The front cover is mounted with the rear cover through the center shaft via a center hole of the rear cover where there are symmetrical openings on both ends for cords folded in half to be attached to the flanged hook and retracted upon pulling down.

A hose deployment and retrieval system is described that includes a modular reel assembly. The modular reel assembly includes a reel having a hub around which a hose may be wound and a wheel assembly on either side of the hub and spaced to accept the hose there between. The reel assembly also includes an axle in the center of the hub around which the hub can spin and a base holding the axle. A deployment fork assembly includes a reel assembly mount for engaging with the modular reel assembly and a drive mechanism to spin the reel when the deployment fork assembly is engaged with the modular reel assembly, wherein the deployment fork assembly is adapted to mount to a vehicle.

A device is provided that is adapted for mounting on a vertical support, such as a stud at a construction job site, to hold a spool of wire off the floor, allowing the wire to be dispensed easily, yet providing sufficient drag on the reel to avoid excess unspooling of the wire. The device is adapted for mounting on a stud or comparable vertical support without the use of tools or fasteners so it can be moved quickly from location to location. The device is conveniently disassembled into two smaller assemblies for storage and transport to the job site.

A desktop dispenser includes a stationary base including a bottom member defining a bottom open chamber, a vacuum mount including a suction disc positioned in the bottom open chamber and an actuation rod extended from the top wall of the suction disc, and a carrier coupled to the stationary base and biasable between a first position and a second position. When the carrier is in the first position, the actuation rod of the vacuum mount is in an initial position; when the carrier is in the second position, the driving member lifts the actuation rod of the vacuum mount to an acting position. Thus, the desktop tape dispenser can be adhered to the top of a desk.

The present invention relates to a tape guiding mechanism (10) of a tape device (100). The tape device (100) comprises a strip of tape (20) having supply tape (22) and take up tape (24); a spool portion (130); a supply spool (40) disposed at the spool portion (130) for winding the supply tape (22); a take up spool (50) disposed at the spool portion (130) for winding the take up tape (24); an application tip (12); and a spool mechanism (70) for allowing the supply and the take up spools (40 & 50) to rotate such that the tape travels from the supply spool (40), around the applicator tip (120), and to the take up spool (50).

In a webbing winding device, even when a piston moves toward the other side in a movement direction due to a reaction when the piston moves to a maximum movement position, an engagement surface of a hook portion comes into contact with a subject engagement surface of a subject engagement portion, so that the movement of the piston toward the other side in the movement direction is restricted. Accordingly, the piston is prevented from returning to a standby position, and a pawl is prevented from returning to a lock position. For this reason, a state where a rotation of a locking ring in the pull-out direction is maintained. Accordingly, after the piston moves from the standby position to the maximum movement position, the piston is prevented from returning to the standby position, and the force limiter load is prevented from being changed.

A webbing take-up device that is both capable of promoting reductions in size and weight and capable of excellently maintaining coupling strength between a pawl member and a ring portion. A clutch plate and a lock ring of this webbing take-up device are coupled by plural teeth provided at the clutch plate meshing with plural teeth provided at the lock ring. This lock ring is specified to have a lower material strength than the clutch plate. A tooth height H2 of the plural teeth of the lock ring is specified to be lower than a tooth height of the plural teeth of the clutch plate. Thus, when the lock ring and the clutch plate mesh, tooth tips of the plural teeth of the clutch plate come into contact with tooth bottoms of the plural teeth of the lock ring.

An agricultural implement system that includes a control system configured to receive a first signal to initiate seeding operations, to transition a ground engaging tool toward a working position at a first time after receiving the first signal, and to activate a product delivery system at a second time, different from the first time, after receiving the first signal.

A stack-fold implement having a central bulk fill hopper assembly is provided. The bulk fill hopper assembly is mounted to the center frame section of the stack-told implement and does not affect the narrowness of the stack-fold implement when it's in a stacked, transport position, The hopper assembly includes a pair of bulk fill hoppers or tanks supported by cradle that is in turn supported by a pair of wheels. The cradle is removably coupled to the center frame section by a plurality of rigid frame members.

Agricultural devices, row unit adjustment systems, and methods of adjusting a depth of a furrow are provided. In some aspects, an agricultural device is adapted to plant seeds and includes a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame and adapted to cut a furrow including a depth, a sensor adapted to sense a characteristic associated with planting seeds and generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic, and a processing unit receiving the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. The depth of the furrow is adjustable based on the signal associated with the sensed characteristic. Such characteristic may be a characteristic of the soil, a force applied to the agricultural device, or a position of a portion of the agricultural device.

An agricultural side dressing fertilizer coulter row unit includes a first attachment member adapted to be rigidly connected to a towing frame, and a second attachment member pivotably coupled to the first attachment member for pivoting movement about a substantially vertical axis. A linkage is pivotably coupled to the second attachment member for pivoting movement of the trailing end of the linkage relative to the second attachment member, and a tool-carrying stem pivotably coupled to the trailing end of the linkage carries a rotatably mounted coulter wheel for forming a slit in the soil, a liquid fertilizer dispenser for dispensing fertilizer, and a rotatably mounted closing wheel for closing the slit. A biasing element is pivotably attached to the linkage and coupled to the second attachment member for urging the stem downwardly with a controllable force.

A metering system for a seeding machine is provided. The metering system includes selectively powered metering sections operable to individually allow or restrict seed dispensation. A damper arrangement is also provided so that pneumatic conveying of the particulate within the machine is consistently maintained when particulate flow is varied between the metering sections.

A seeder implement (125) includes a fork (146) having a first spindle support arm (150) that supports a first spindle (164) and a second spindle support arm (152) that supports a second spindle (168). A first disk (160) is supported on the first spindle (164), wherein the first spindle (164) is oriented in a first orientation and at a first acute angle relative to a lateral line. The first disk (160) is oriented at a second acute angle relative to the ground surface. A second disk (166) is supported on the second spindle (168), wherein the second spindle (168) is oriented in a second orientation and at a third acute angle relative to the lateral line. The second disk (166) is oriented at a fourth acute angle relative to the ground surface. The first disk (160) is longitudinally offset ahead of the second disk (166), and there are no structural components between the first and second disks (160, 166) other than the first and second spindles (164, 168). In one embodiment, a packing wheel (142) is disposed to close and compact furrows opened by the disks (160, 166) and is disposed in the same orientation as one of the disks (160, 166).

A method and apparatus for managing undesired material in an area. A sensor system monitors the area for the undesired material. A number of operations is performed on the area using a vehicle system. The vehicle system comprises a vehicle and a structure connected to the vehicle. A computer system receives data for the area from the sensor system. The computer system identifies a presence of the undesired material along a number of paths in the area using the data to form an identification. The computer system initiates removal of the undesired material based on the identification.

A seed metering assembly for a farm implement has a meter roller that can be accessed and removed in a relatively quick manner. The seed metering assembly includes a fluted meter roller that is segmented into a number of discrete fluted sections. Each fluted section has an associated flow control member that is selectively operable to impede the flow of granular material from a seed hopper to its corresponding section of the fluted meter roller.

Agricultural seed planting systems are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a single row unit (10) of a conventional row crop planter such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. As is well known in the art, the row units (10) are mounted in spaced relation along the length of a transverse toolbar (12) by a parallel linkage (14), comprised of upper and lower parallel arms (16, 18) pivotally mounted at their forward ends to the transverse toolbar (12) and at their rearward end to the row unit frame (20).

A no-till apparatus for application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop has inter-row assemblies configured to pass along inter-row areas between adjacent row lines of standing crop plants. Each assembly includes a fertilizer applicator, a no-till soil preparation element, a cover crop seed applicator, and a post-seeding element.

An agricultural implement is provided that includes a first tool bar and a second tool bar each supporting respective ground engaging tools and fluid dispersal components. The second tool bar is pivotally coupled to the first tool bar. The agricultural implement further includes fluid conduits coupled to respective tool bars for conveying fluid to the respective fluid dispersal components. Additionally, each of the conduits has a flexible end adjacent to the other tool bar. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a fluid joint coupled between the first and second flexible ends and configured to provide a sealed connection between the first and second flexible ends during relative pivotal movement of the first and second tool bars in operation but to allow for uncoupling of the first and second flexible ends for servicing of the implement.

A paired row opener has a furrowing tip arranged to be selectively supported on a body of the opener. The furrowing tip includes a knife portion and a pair of wing portions extending rearwardly and outwardly therefrom where are separable together from the opener body. A pair of deflector wings are integrally formed on the opener body above inner edges of the respective wing portions which are abutted with the opener body so as to deflect disturbed soil away from a seam between the inner edge of the wing portions and the opener body. An insulated mounting block is fastened onto a rear bracket of the opener body which receives an anhydrous ammonia delivery tube therethrough so permit optional delivery of anhydrous ammonia at a location which is insulated and spaced rearwardly from the opener body.

One closing assembly of a row unit for an agricultural implement includes a frame configured to support ground-working tools of the row unit. Multiple arms are coupled to the frame, each arm of the multiple arms being independently rotatable about a common axis. Each arm is configured to be coupled to a closing disc configured to direct soil into a trench.

Disclosed are apparatus and method for decontaminating and sterilizing chemical and biological agents, which can efficiently decontaminate and sterilize high precision electronic devices, communication devices, computers or inside of vehicles and air planes contaminated with chemical and biological agent by using mixture of non-thermal atmospheric pressure air plasma and oxidizing peroxide vapor. The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a decontamination and sterilization chamber 10; a first fluid supplying line L1 and a second fluid supplying line L2, which are installed in the form of closed circuit between the inlet 11 and outlet 12 of the decontamination and sterilization chamber 10; a peroxide vapor supplier which is installed on the first fluid supplying line; and a non-thermal atmospheric pressure air plasma reactor 70 which is installed on the second fluid supplying line L2.

A nanogap device includes a first insulation layer having a nanopore formed therein, a first nanogap electrode which may be formed on the first insulation layer and may be divided into two parts with a nanogap interposed between the two parts, the nanogap facing the nanopore, a second insulation layer formed on the first nanogap electrode, a first graphene layer formed on the second insulation layer, a first semiconductor layer formed on the first graphene layer, a first drain electrode formed on the first semiconductor layer, and a first source electrode formed on the first graphene layer such as to be apart from the first semiconductor layer.

Biosensor apparatus and associated method for detecting a target material using a vibrating resonator having a surface that operably interacts with the target material. A detector is in electrical communication with a sensor, the sensor comprising a first paddle assembly connected to a second paddle assembly, the first paddle assembly having at least one microbalance sensing resonator proximate a proximal end and at least one sensing electrical contact proximate a distal end in electrical communication with the sensing resonator. The at least one sensing resonator has a target coating for operably interacting with the target material, and the second paddle assembly has a microbalance reference resonator proximate the proximal end and at least one reference electrical contact proximate the distal end in electrical communication with the reference resonator.

A sensor cartridge for supplying a sensor is used. The sensor cartridge includes a casing within which the plurality of sensors can be arranged, and that allows a sample to be introduced to a sensor located at a preset location, and a connection structure. The connection structure electrically connects an external device and a sensor electrode of the sensor located at the preset location. The casing is formed so as to be held by the external device when the external device and the sensor electrode of the sensor are electrically connected via the connection structure.

A sensor system, device, and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is described. Input signals including multiple duty cycles of sequential excitation pulses and relaxations are input to the sample. One or more signals output from the sample within 300 ms of the input of an excitation pulse may be correlated with the analyte concentration of the sample to improve the accuracy and/or precision of the analysis. Determining the analyte concentration of the sample from these rapidly measured output values may reduce analysis errors arising from the hematocrit effect, mediator background, and other error sources.

The present invention provides methods, devices, and kits for separating and selecting top sperm from a sperm sample of a subject. In one aspect, for example, such a method can include removing a portion of negatively charged protein from sperm in the sperm sample, immobilizing the sperm, electrophoretically separating the sperm, and selecting mature sperm based on electromotility properties.

An electrode assembly for capillary electrophoresis (CE) comprises a manifold (310), a connector (305) a sheath (300), and a seal (325). A capillary tube (100) passes through the manifold, the connector, the sheath, and the seal, stopping just beyond the end of the sheath. The sheath is fillable with water (330) or another fluid that cools the capillary tube in the vicinity of the electrode, thereby preventing degradation of a sample due to heat. The sheath may be metal or plastic with a metal sleeve electrode on its exterior. The sheath is sufficiently strong to penetrate a rubber or other pierceable cap on a vial. The manifold and connector incorporate an air path (605, 312, 307) so that when the electrode is fully inserted into a vial, the contents (650) of the vial are at atmospheric pressure (or another applied pressure or vacuum).

Electrode configurations for electric-field enhanced performance in catalysis and solid-state devices involving gases are provided. According to an embodiment, electric-field electrodes can be incorporated in devices such as gas sensors and fuel cells to shape an electric field provided with respect to sensing electrodes for the gas sensors and surfaces of the fuel cells. The shaped electric fields can alter surface dynamics, system thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and adsorption/desorption processes. In one embodiment, ring-shaped electric-field electrodes can be provided around sensing electrodes of a planar gas sensor.

The invention relates to a method for producing alkaline amides or imides of ethylenically unsaturated C3 to C6 carboxylic acids by reacting amines that contain at least one primary and/or secondary amino group and at least one tertiary amino group with ethylenically unsaturated C3 to C6 carboxlic acids to form an ammonium salt and said ammonium salt is subsequently converted into the alkaline amide or imide by means of microwave radiation, with the proviso that the primary and/or secondary amino group is devoid of alkoxy groups.

A method for producing a transparent and conductive metal oxide layer on a substrate, includes atomizing at least one component of the metal oxide layer by highly ionized, high power pulsed magnetron sputtering to condense on the substrate. The pulses of the magnetron have a peak power density of more than 1.5 kW/cm2, the pulses of the magnetron have a duration of ≦200 μs, and the average increase in current density during ignition of the plasma within an interval, which is ≦0.025 ms, is at least 106 A/(ms cm2).

The present liquid sample measuring device comprises a device body on which a biosensor is detachably mounted, a liquid biological sample being dispensed in drops on the biosensor; a measuring section that measures bioinformation from the liquid biological sample; a motion measuring section that measures motion information of the device body; a motion assessment section that assesses the degree of motion of the device body on the basis of the motion information of the device body measured by the motion measuring section; and a measurement controller that adjusts the measurement time for measuring the bioinformation on the basis of the assessment result of the motion assessment section.

A test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a fluid testing medical device test strip includes a mechanism assembly supported by the device whereby user actuation of the mechanism assembly induces displacement of the test strip in at least a test strip ejection direction to eject the test strip. The mechanism assembly includes a power source and an electric motor such as a piezo-electric linear micro motor connected to the power source. The electric motor has an armature displaced when the electric motor is energized. A digital display/user interface is provided. Selection of an ejection function presented on the digital display/user interface initiates operation of the electric motor and displacement of the armature thereby displacing the test strip in the ejection direction. An operating system including a microprocessor is connected to the display/user interface. The microprocessor controls direction of operation and operating speed of the motor.

The present disclosure relates to an electrode strip, a sensor strip, a system thereof and a manufacturing method thereof. The sensor strip includes a first reactive film, a second reactive film and a vent hole. The first reactive film includes a substrate, a first electrode layer and a first insulation layer. The first end of the first insulation layer is concaved to a first depth to form a first reactive area. The second reactive film includes a second electrode layer and a second insulation layer. The first end of the second insulation layer is concaved to a second depth to form a second reactive area. The vent hole penetrates the second insulation layer, the second electrode layer and the first insulation layer so as to connect the first reactive area and the second reactive area.

The present invention provides a device that decreases deformation during manufacturing of the device, provides a firm joint without use of an adhesive, and allows chemical modification of a channel during manufacturing of the device. The device includes two joined substrates, and a concavity is formed on at least one of the opposing surfaces of the two substrates so as to make a channel, where the two substrates are joined together by a covalent bond via a crosslinking agent (A), and the crosslinking agent (A) is exposed on an inner wall surface of the channel.

The present invention provides a method for fabricating a working electrode. The method comprises the following steps: providing a photoelectrode, which comprises a conductive substrate with a semiconductor material; providing a dye solution, which comprises a dye dissolved in a solvent; and applying a voltage for conducting an electrophoresis to adsorb said dye onto a surface of said semiconductor material. The method of present invention makes the dye adsorbed fast to a surface of a semiconductor material by electrophoresis, and therefore, significantly reduces the time for fabricating a dye-sensitized solar cell.

A metal material is provided with a bismuth coating which enables the subsequent coating to be accomplished at a high throwing power, and has excellent corrosion resistance, coating adhesion and is able to be produced with reduced damage to the environment. The metal material has a surface and a bismuth-containing layer deposited on at least a part of the surface of the metal material, wherein the percentage of bismuth atoms in the number of atoms in the surface layer of the metal material with a bismuth coating is at least 10%.

The invention concerns an electrostatic coalescing device that includes a vessel or a pipe through which a mixture of fluids flows. At least one metal electrode plate and transformer are arranged inside the pipe/vessel. The electrode plate and transformer are fully enclosed by insulation, and the transformer is energized from an external alternating low voltage source/power supply located outside the vessel/pipe. The transformer includes a first end of a high voltage winding connected electrically to the metal plate within the insulation.

Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods for producing a halide of a non-alkali metal and for electrorefining the halide. The systems typically involve an electrochemical cell having a cathode structure configured for dissolving a hydrogen halide that forms the halide into a molten salt of the halogen and an alkali metal. Typically a direct current voltage is applied across the cathode and an anode that is fabricated with the non-alkali metal such that the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed adjacent the anode. Electrorefining cells and methods involve applying a direct current voltage across the anode where the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed and the cathode where the non-alkali metal is electro-deposited. In a representative embodiment the halogen is chlorine, the alkali metal is lithium and the non-alkali metal is uranium.