Abstract: An electro-synthetic water electrolysis cell, and method of operation, including a first gas diffusion electrode configured to generate a first gas and be in direct contact with a first gas body including the first gas, and a second electrode. A porous capillary spacer is configured to be filled with a liquid electrolyte and is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode. Preferably, an average pore diameter of the porous capillary spacer is more than 2 ?m (microns).

Abstract: An electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell, and method of operation, including a first gas diffusion electrode configured to generate a first gas and be in contact with and adjacent to a first gas body including the first gas, and a second gas diffusion electrode configured to generate a second gas and be in contact with and adjacent to a second gas body including the second gas. A porous capillary spacer is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second gas diffusion electrode. The porous capillary spacer is configured to be filled with a liquid electrolyte and to confine the liquid electrolyte in the porous capillary spacer by a capillary effect and whereby the liquid electrolyte has a maximum column height of more than 0.4 cm.

Abstract: Zero-gap electrochemical cell architectures that employ molecular-level capillary and/or diffusion and/or osmotic effects to minimize the need for macroscopic external management of the electrochemical cell. Preferably, these effects intrinsically respond to the electrochemical cell conditions, making them self-regulating. In one example is disclosed an electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell, and method of operation, including a reservoir for containing a liquid electrolyte, a first gas diffusion electrode positioned outside of the reservoir, and a second electrode positioned outside of the reservoir. A porous capillary spacer is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode, the porous capillary spacer having an end that extends into the reservoir. Preferably, the porous capillary spacer is able to fill itself with the liquid electrolyte when the end of the porous capillary spacer is in liquid contact with the liquid electrolyte in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of operating an electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell performs an electrochemical reaction. An electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell includes a reservoir containing a liquid electrolyte, a first gas diffusion electrode, and a second electrode. A porous capillary spacer is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode. The porous capillary spacer can have an end positioned within the reservoir and in liquid contact with the liquid electrolyte. The method includes contacting the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode with the liquid electrolyte, and applying or generating a voltage across the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: DC power distribution systems and corresponding methods are disclosed herein. One method includes performing a first voltage conversion using an active rectifier to convert a first input AC voltage to a first output DC voltage and supplying the first output DC voltage from the active rectifier to a DC bus. The first output DC voltage from the DC bus is provided to a second input at a bucking cell-stack regulator, and a second voltage conversion, from the second input DC voltage to a second output DC voltage, is performed using the bucking cell-stack regulator. The second output DC voltage is applied to a DC load.

Abstract: A method and/or electrochemical cell for utilising one or more gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) in an electrochemical cell, the one or more gas diffusion electrodes have a wetting pressure and/or a bubble point exceeding 0.2 bar. The one or more gas diffusion electrodes can be subjected to a pressure differential between a liquid side and a gas side. A pressure on the liquid side of the GDE over the gas side does not exceed the wetting pressure of the GDE during operation (in cases where a liquid electrolyte side has higher pressure), and/or a pressure on the gas side of the GDE over the liquid side, does not exceeds the bubble point of the GDE (in cases where the gas side has the higher pressure).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite material comprising a graphene-based material, manganese oxide, and group II metal ions. The graphene based material may be functionalised with an organic moiety comprising an acidic functional group. The composite material may function as a catalyst for electrolysis of water.

Abstract: An electrode (110) for an electrochemical cell, comprising a conductive, porous, hydrophilic, gas-permeable and a liquid-permeable liquid-side layer (111) having a liquid-facing side (116), and a non-conductive, porous, hydrophobic, gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable gas-side layer (112) having a gas-facing side (117). Gas-producing electrochemical reactions are promoted at an interface (115) between the liquid-side layer (111) and the gas-side layer (112) by a beneficial relationship of capillary pressures of the electrode layers. The liquid-side layer (111) exhibits a repulsive capillary pressure in the liquid electrolyte (113) of the cell (110) and the gas-side layer exhibits an attractive capillary pressure in the liquid electrolyte (113).

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode for an electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell, for example a fuel cell, including one or more gas permeable layers, a first conductive layer provided on a first side of the gas diffusion electrode, and a second layer, which may be a second conductive layer, provided on a second side of the gas diffusion electrode. The one or more gas permeable layers are positioned between the first conductive layer and the second layer, which may be a second conductive layer, and the one or more gas permeable layers provide a gas channel. The one or more gas permeable layers are gas permeable and substantially impermeable to the liquid electrolyte. The porous conductive material is gas permeable and liquid electrolyte permeable. The gas diffusion electrode can be one of a plurality of alternating anode/cathode sets.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells (e.g., fuel cells or electrochemical gas extraction cells) supplied with power-to-gas mixtures of dilute hydrogen concentrations may be remarkably improved by the use of porous gas layer electrodes. The electrochemical cells may comprise a first porous gas layer gas diffusion electrode, a second porous gas layer gas diffusion electrode, and a liquid electrolyte Sin contact with the first and second electrodes. The porous gas layers may each comprise a porous, non-conductive, liquid-impermeable material that dramatically improves cell performance.

Abstract: Water-splitting devices and methods for manufacturing water-splitting devices or solar cells is disclosed. The method seeks to provide a relatively high-volume, low-cost mass-production method. In one example, the method facilitates simultaneous co-assembly of one or more sub-units and two or more polymer films or sheets to form a water-splitting device. According to another aspect, there is provided an improved water-splitting device. In one example form, there is provided a water-splitting device which includes a first electrode for producing oxygen gas and a second electrode for producing hydrogen gas from water. The first electrode and the second electrode are positioned between a first outer polymer layer and a second outer polymer layer, and at least one spacer layer is positioned between the first outer polymer layer and the second outer polymer layer.

Abstract: An electrode for a water splitting device, the electrode comprising a gas permeable material, a second material, for example a further gas permeable material, a spacer layer positioned between the gas permeable material and the second material, the spacer layer providing a gas collection layer and a conducting layer. The conducting layer can be provided adjacent to or at least partially within the gas permeable material. The gas collection layer is able to transport gas internally in the electrode. The gas permeable materials can be gas permeable membranes. Also disclosed are electrochemical cells using such an electrode as the cathode and/or anode, and methods for bringing about gas-to-liquid or liquid-to-gas transformations, for example for producing hydrogen.

Abstract: There is provided a new type of electro-synthetic (electrochemical) or electro-energy cell, such as a fuel cell. The cell includes a liquid electrolyte and at least one gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The GDE operates as a gas depolarized electrode and includes a gas permeable material that is substantially impermeable to the liquid electrolyte, as well as a porous conductive material provided on a liquid electrolyte facing side of the gas diffusion electrode. The porous conductive material can be attached to the gas permeable material by being laminated. Alternatively, the porous conductive material is deposited or coated on at least part of the gas permeable material. A depolarizing gas can be received by the at least one gas diffusion electrode to gas depolarize the electrode. The depolarizing gas changes a half-reaction that would occur at the gas diffusion electrode to a half-reaction that is energetically more favorable.

Abstract: A method and/or electrochemical cell for utilising one or more gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) in an electrochemical cell, the one or more gas diffusion electrodes have a wetting pressure and/or a bubble point exceeding 0.2 bar. The one or more gas diffusion electrodes can be subjected to a pressure differential between a liquid side and a gas side. A pressure on the liquid side of the GDE over the gas side does not exceed the wetting pressure of the GDE during operation (in cases where a liquid electrolyte side has higher pressure), and/or a pressure on the gas side of the GDE over the liquid side, does not exceeds the bubble point of the GDE (in cases where the gas side has the higher pressure).

Abstract: A method and/or electrochemical cell for utilizing one or more gas diffusion 5 electrodes (GDEs) in an electrochemical cell, the one or more gas diffusion electrodes have a wetting pressure and/or a bubble point exceeding 0.2 bar. The one or more gas diffusion electrodes can be subjected to a pressure differential between a liquid side and a gas side. A pressure on the liquid side of the GDE over the gas side does not exceed the wetting pressure of the GDE during 10 operation (in cases where a liquid electrolyte side has higher pressure), and/or a pressure on the gas side of the GDE over the liquid side, does not exceeds the bubble point of the GDE (in cases where the gas side has the higher pressure).

Abstract: Disclosed are gas permeable 3D electrodes, preferably that have practical utility in, particularly, electro-energy and electro-synthetic applications. Gas permeable materials, such as non-conductive porous polymer membranes, are attached to one or more porous conductive materials. In another aspect there is provided a method for the fabrication of gas permeable 3D electrodes, for example gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs). The 3D electrodes can be utilised in electrochemical cells or devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods of use or operation. In one aspect there is disclosed a method for management of an electrochemical cell, the method comprising operating the electrochemical cell at an operational voltage that is below or about the thermoneutral voltage for an electrochemical reaction. In another aspect there is disclosed an electrochemical cell comprising electrodes, an electrolyte between the electrodes, and a catalyst applied to at least one of the electrodes to facilitate an electrochemical reaction at an operational voltage of the electrochemical cell that is below or about the thermoneutral voltage for the electrochemical reaction. Also disclosed are various catalysts for the electrochemical cell comprising mixtures of various catalytic materials and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods of use or operation at high pressure, in which one or more gas-producing electrodes operate in a manner that is bubble-free or substantially bubble-free. Disclosed is a method for producing a gas in an electrochemical cell, and the electrochemical cell itself, wherein the electrochemical cell comprises a gas-producing electrode and a counter electrode being separated by an electrolyte. The method comprises creating an electrolyte pressure greater than or equal to 10 bar during operation of the electrochemical cell, and producing the gas wherein substantially no bubbles of the gas are formed at the gas-producing electrode. Preferably, there is no diaphragm or ion exchange membrane positioned between the gas-producing electrode and the counter electrode. In another example, the electrochemical cell is operated without a gas compressor. The gas-producing electrode and/or the counter electrode is a gas diffusion electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods of operation. In one aspect is disclosed an electrochemical cell that has a liquid-electrolyte or a gel-electrolyte, the cell comprising: an electrode, preferably a gas diffusion electrode; a busbar attached to a current collector of the electrode; and a second electrode to which the first electrode is connected in electrical series. In another aspect is disclosed a plurality of electrochemical cells, comprising: a first electrochemical cell comprising a first cathode and a first anode, wherein at least one of the first cathode and the first anode is a gas diffusion electrode; a second electrochemical cell comprising a second cathode and a second anode, wherein at least one of the second cathode and the second anode is a gas diffusion electrode; wherein, the first cathode is electrically connected in series to the second anode by an electron conduction pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods of use or operation, in which one or more gas-producing electrodes operate in a manner that is bubble-free or substantially bubble-free. Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods of operation or use under conditions of intermittent and/or fluctuating currents. In one aspect there is provided a method for operating an electrochemical cell, and an electrochemical cell, wherein the electrochemical cell comprises: a gas-producing electrode; a counter electrode, the gas-producing electrode and the counter electrode being separated by an electrolyte. Preferably there is also provided one or more void volumes. The method comprises: supplying an intermittent and/or fluctuating current to at least the gas-producing electrode; and producing a gas at the gas-producing electrode as a result of an electrochemical reaction. Preferably the gas is received by the one or more void volumes.