Abstract:
An electrochemical device having a liquid electrolyte which includes a protic solvent, an anode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte, and a cathode electrode disposed in contact with the liquid electrolyte. A membrane which interrupts the transport of ions between the electrodes at a predetermined temperature is disposed in the liquid electrolyte between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. In this way, electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, and sensors, which may overheat during use and cause a fire or explosion, are precluded from overheating.
Abstract:
An electrochemical device having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte. At least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode is provided with a substantially uniform superficial relief pattern formed by a plurality of substantially uniform projections and has an electrical conductivity gradient between peaks of the projections and valleys between the projections.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell for producing copper having a dense graphite anode electrode and a dense graphite cathode electrode disposed in a CuCl solution. An anion exchange membrane made of poly(ethylene vinyl alcohol) and polyethylenimine cross-linked with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of acetone, formaldehyde, glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, and mixtures thereof is disposed between the two electrodes.
Abstract:
An electrochemical device having a proton exchange membrane disposed between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, an anode plate adjacent the anode electrode and forming at least one anode flow channel, and a cathode plate adjacent the cathode electrode and forming at least one cathode flow channel, in which a bio-oil is introduced into the at least one anode flow channel, and a carbohydrate is introduced into the at least one cathode flow channel. The bio-oil is oxidized at the anode, producing the biofuel, and protons from the anode electrode migrate to the cathode electrode and are reduced to hydrogen and/or reacted with the carbohydrate at the cathode, producing hydrogen and carbon-hydrogen biofuel
Abstract:
An apparatus for splitting water to produce hydrogen having at least one photoelectrochemical cell. The photoelectrochemical cell includes at least one water permeable photoelectrode having a light sensitive, nano-crystalline catalytic material layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane, a metallic substrate disposed between the light sensitive nano-crystalline catalytic material layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane adjacent to the polymer electrolyte membrane layer, and at least one photovoltaic device connected in series to the light sensitive nano-crystalline material layer and disposed between the light sensitive nano-crystalline catalytic material layer and the metallic substrate layer.
Abstract:
A hydrogen-selective membrane material having a dense inner membrane layer composed of a Group VB alloy and no Pd disposed between two porous outer membrane support layers composed of the same Group VB alloy and no Pd or other noble metal, the amount of the Group VB alloy being greater than about 90 atomic % of each layer.
Abstract:
A method for producing a gas diffusion electrode in which a slurry of carbon black, alcohol, water and a tetrafluoroethylene emulsion is applied as a layer a non-Teflonized carbon cloth substrate, which is then heated to remove water. The dried coated carbon cloth is then rolled followed by heating to remove wetting agents present in the tetrafluoroethylene emulsion. The coated carbon cloth is then cooled and rolled again to produce the final end product.
Abstract:
A method for producing biofuels from biomass in which a refined biomass material is introduced into a non-Faradaic electrochemical device, preferably at a temperature greater than or equal to about 150° C., and deoxygenated and/or decarboxylated in said device to produce an increased carbon chain fuel.
Abstract:
A method and device for reducing or substantially eliminating methanol crossover from the anode to the cathode of a direct methanol fuel cell and for increasing catalyst efficiency in which a catalyst ink layer comprising an electron conductive and proton conductive binder material is applied either to the anode electrode or the electrolyte layer of the direct methanol fuel cell.
Abstract:
A direct carbon fuel electrochemical device and method for generating electricity. The apparatus includes a solid oxide electrolyte having an anode side and a cathode side. Carbon and at least one metal oxide are provided to the anode side for reaction at the anode and air is provided to the cathode side. At least a portion of the carbon is oxidized and at least a portion of the metal oxide is reduced to a metal or lower oxide metal oxide on the anode side. The metal or lower oxide metal oxide is electrochemically reoxidized with oxygen in the air, thereby generating electricity.