Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained device which continuously dispenses a packaged fluid. The device is particularly suited for applications where several months may lapse before performance is manually initiated, after which a consistent steady flow is required for an extended period until the packaged fluid is exhausted. The device is also particularly suited for applications where ease of fabrication and where availability of materials are important factors. A button cell battery provides a driving force to reduce atmospheric oxygen at a simple air cathode, ions are transported through an ion-exchange membrane, and oxygen gas is released at a simple anode. The effective transport of oxygen gas pressurizes a chamber resulting in fluid contained in a flexible bladder within the chamber to be forced through an outlet. This device is intended to be very low in cost and thus disposable.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of electrolytic fuel cells and the like, and more particularly aluminum-air fuel cells, is described. The efficiency of the fuel cell is controlled by the rate of dissolution of Aluminum in an alkaline electrolyte and this rate can be increased dramatically by activating the surface of the anode with an activator such as Tin which is precipitated thereon. Self corrosion of the Aluminum anode, when the battery is not in use is a problem which is usually solved by using ultra pure Aluminum which is very expensive. The problem may be reduced by passivating the surface of the anode by electro-deposition of a passivating layer such as Pb. The passivating layer can be electrolytically removed to reactivate the battery before the activating layer is precipitated.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for use in photoelectrochemical reactions includes as its reactive surface a metal oxide porous ceramic membrane of a catalytic metal such as titanium. The reaction vessel includes a light source and a counter electrode. A provision for applying an electrical bias between the membrane and the counter electrode permits the Fermi levels of potential reaction to be favored so that certain reactions may be favored in the vessel. The electrical biasing is also useful for the cleaning of the catalytic membrane. Also disclosed is a method regenerating a porous metal oxide ceramic membrane used in a photoelectrochemical catalytic process by periodically removing the reactants and regenerating the membrane using a variety of chemical, thermal, and electrical techniques.

Abstract: An autoelectrolytic hydrogen generator system constituted by one or a plurality of similar cells wherein a galvanic arrangement of magnesium and aluminum plates of sacrificial elements as anode; stainless steel as cathode and sea water as electrolyte, by its very nature is made to develop a voltage when connected in short circuit causing a current to flow within the system and hydrogen production of hydrogen in situ and on demand by the electrolytic action at one pole, the cathode, and additional hydrogen by the electrochemical reaction at the other pole, the anode. Surplus electric energy of the system applied to a optional electrolyzer will also be made to produce additional hydrogen at its two sacrificial aluminum electrodes.

Abstract: A multielectrode photoelectrochemical cell in which at least contains two bipolar electrode panels for photoelectrochemical reactions such as water photolysis to produce H.sub.2 O.sub.2 without external bias. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bipolar TiO.sub.2 /Pt multielectrode photoelectrochemical cell was fabricated with five panels in series. The cell permitted unassisted photolytic (Xe lamp) water splitting to produce H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 molar ratio of 2.4/1.

Abstract: A transition metal electrocatalyst surface (e.g. a porous surface of finely divided Group VIII or Group I-B metal with an attached current collector) is modified by a sulfur treatment, using an oxidized sulfur species of average sulfur oxidation state of about 4 or less, e.g. SO.sub.2 dissolved in aqueous acid. Treatment of the transition metal with SO.sub.2 or the like typically provides up to 100% coverage of the surface electrocatalyst sites with chemisorbed sulfur-containing species and perhaps subsurface effects as well, but washing or other non-electrochemical techniques can remove 5-90% (e.g. 25-70%) of the chemisorbed SO.sub.2 or the like from the surface, leaving substantially only a very strongly bound form of the sulfur-containing species. The strongly bound sulfur-containing species can then be reduced to form a highly beneficial, selectivity-improving pattern of sites containing reduced --S (e.g. sulfur or sulfide) on the electrocatalyst surface.

Abstract: An amorphous silicon semiconductor alloy having multiple layers is used to form a photoelectrode (either a photoanode or a photocathode) for use in a photoelectrochemical cell for the photoelectrolysis of water to produce hydrogen or the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. Each layer of the semiconductor alloy has a different dopant concentration ranging from no dopant to a heavy dopant concentration. The photoelectrochemical cell can utilize a photocathode and a conventional metal anode, a photoanode or both a photocathode and a photoanode according to the present invention. The semiconductor alloy of the photoelectrode is a-Si:F:H or a-Si:H.sub.x deposited on a reflective layer of aluminum or molybdenum which is deposited on a substrate of glass or stainless steel. A tunnelable oxide layer can be deposited or intrinsically formed to cover and protect the top surface of the semiconductor alloy body.

Abstract: An electrode is disclosed for use in photoelectrochemical cells having an electrolyte which includes an aqueous constituent. The electrode includes a semiconductor and a hydrophobic film disposed between the semiconductor and the aqueous constituent. The hydrophobic film is adapted to permit charges to pass therethrough while substantially decreasing the activity of the aqueous constituent at the semiconductor surface thereby decreasing the photodegradation of the semiconductor electrode.

Abstract: A heterojunction photovoltaic device, containing a highly conductive coating material having a band gap greater than 0 to about 3.0 e.V. on a substrate containing a semiconductor material, is utilized in highly efficient photovoltaic cells and radiometric detection cells.

Abstract: A photocell device for evolving hydrogen and oxygen from water using solar radiation is formed with a plurality of p-n junctions. A transparent ohmic window is disposed at the p-n junctions to avoid lattice mismatch and to provide maximized equal current densities in each layer of the plurality of p-n cells.

Abstract: A superlattice or multiple-quantum-well semiconductor is used as a photoelectrode in a photoelectrochemical process for converting solar energy into useful fuels or chemicals. The quantum minibands of the superlattice or multiple-quantum-well semiconductor effectively capture hot-charge carriers at or near their discrete quantum energies and deliver them to drive a chemical reaction in an electrolyte. The hot-charge carries can be injected into the electrolyte at or near the various discrete multiple energy levels quantum minibands, or they can be equilibrated among themselves to a hot-carrier pool and then injected into the electrolyte at one average energy that is higher than the lowest quantum band gap in the semiconductor.

Abstract: A solid-state semiconductor photonic device is prepared by a photoelectrochemical deposition method. The device contains a highly conductive coating material including one or more metals and/or semiconductors on a substrate containing a semiconductor material. The device is utilized in photodetectors, including radiometric detection cells, in conversions of electrical energy to optical radiation, such as light-emitting-diodes and diodes lasers, and in photovoltaic cells, including Schottky-barrier cells.

Abstract: A heterojunction photovoltaic device, containing a highly conductive coating material having a band gap greater than 0 to about 3.0 e.V. on a substrate containing a semiconductor material, is utilized in highly efficient photovoltaic cells and radiometric detection cells.

Abstract: A photoelectrode, containing a highly conductive coating material having a band gap greater than 0 to about 3.0 e.V. on a substrate containing a semiconductor material, is utilized in photovoltaic cells, photoelectrosynthesis and photoelectrocatalysis.

Abstract: A planar photoelectrochemical structure includes a thin, porous layer of semiconductor powder material on a catalytic film. Using incident light absorbed by the semiconductor, the structure is suited to photosensitizing redox reactions of substrates introduced to the structure in an aqueous gas-phase environment. Conducting catalyst films allow significant external electrical interaction with the photoelectrochemical process occurring in the layer.

Abstract: Chemical compounds can be dissociated by contacting the same with a p/n type semi-conductor photochemical diode having visible light as its sole source of energy. The photochemical diode consists of low cost, readily available materials, specifically polycrystalline iron oxide doped with silicon in the case of the n-type semi-conductor electrode, and polycrystalline iron oxide doped with magnesium in the case of the p-type electrode. So long as the light source has an energy greater than 2.2 electron volts, no added energy source is needed to achieve dissociation.

Abstract: A photoelectrode, containing a highly conductive coating material having a band gap greater than 0 to about 3.0 e.V. on a substrate containing a semiconductor material, is utilized in photovoltaic cells, photoelectrosynthesis and photoelectrocatalysis.

Abstract: A passive hydrogen oxygen generator in which the long wavelength infrared portion of the sun's spectrum heats water to provide circulation of the water within the generator. The shorter wavelength portion of the spectrum to which water is transparent is used in splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by photoelectrolysis.

Abstract: A photoresponsive amorphous semiconductor material is modified by incorporating at least one compensating agent selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, lithium, fluorine, beryllium, aluminum, boron, magnesium, other Group I elements, and compounds of these elements. The semiconductor material is cathodically treated either simultaneously with or subsequent to this modification. The semiconductor material may be additionally modified by incorporating a second modifying agent selected from a group consisting of silicon, the transition elements, the lanthanides, and compounds of these elements. The semiconductor material also may be subjected to heat treatment in an inert atmosphere before the cathodic treatment.A photoanode utilizing the above described semiconductor material further includes a substrate to support a film of said material. The photoanode may additionally include a second semiconductor film having a small band gap inserted between said substrate and said first semiconductor film.

Abstract: According to the present invention, improved electrodes overcoated with conductive polymer films and preselected catalysts are provided. The electrodes typically comprise an inorganic semiconductor overcoated with a charge conductive polymer film comprising a charge conductive polymer in or on which is a catalyst or charge-relaying agent.

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical cells employing chalcogenophosphate (MPX.sub.3) photoelectrodes are disclosed, where M is selected from the group of transition metal series of elements beginning with scandium (atomic number 21) through germanium (atomic number 32) yttrium (atomic number 39) through antimony (atomic number 51) and lanthanum (atomic number 57) through polonium (atomic number 84); P is phosphorus; and X is selected from the chalogenide series consisting of sulfur, selenium, and tellurium. These compounds have bandgaps in the desirable range of 2.0 eV to 2.2 eV for the photoelectrolysis of water and are stable when used as photoelectrodes for the same.

Abstract: The product is in the form of discrete particles or in the form of a layer comprising an electrode. It consists of a semi-conductor material subject to photo-corrosion, for example, cadmium sulphide. In order to prevent such photo-corrosion, the surface of the semi-conductor material, which is intended to be illuminated, is covered with a transparent layer of RuO.sub.2, IrO.sub.2 or a mixture of RuO.sub.2 and IrO.sub.2.The product may be used for the conversion of solar energy into electric energy or into a fuel such as hydrogen.

Abstract: This disclosure relates primarily to the recovery of hydrogen-reduced metals from aqueous solutions of salts thereof, such as, for example, copper from copper sulphate solution, by hydrogen reduction at a catalytic barrier made pervious to the solution, in an apparatus provided with means to supply hydrogen along a face of said barrier at which the aqueous solution is applied to effect deposition thereupon and flowing the solution transversely through the barrier to continue deposition upon the other face of the barrier.

Abstract: The surface (20) of a moderate band gap semiconductor (12) such as p-type molybdenum sulfide is modified to contain an adherent film (24) of charge mediating ionene polymer containing an electroactive unit such as bipyridinium. Electron transport between the electrode (12) and the mediator film (24) is favorable and photocorrosion and recombination processes are suppressed. Incorporation of particles (26) of catalyst such as platinum within the film (24) provides a reduction in overvoltage. The polymer film is readily deposited on the electrode surface and can be rendered stable by ionic or addition cross-linking. Catalyst can be predispersed in the polymer film or a salt can be impregnated into the film and reduced therein.

Abstract: A process for preparing the surface of a metal chalcogenide. The metal chalcogenide is immersed in a suitable electrolyte. The electrolyte is selected such that the metal chalcogenide is relatively stable therein in the dark, but unstable as a photoelectrode under illumination. The metal chalcogenide is connected to another electrode; and the electrode is immersed in the electrolyte. The metal chalcogenide is illuminated to photoetch the chalcogenide thereby improving the surface electronic properties of the semiconductor.A process for the surface treatment of metal chalcogenides including immersing the metal chalcogenide in an aqueous solution containing Zn and/or Cr ions.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical system for conducting endoergic chemical processes driven by light energy. This system consists essentially of an illuminated halfcell and a darkened halfcell joined via electrodes and an external circuit to allow for the transport of electrons. Also, the said halfcells are joined by an ion conducting junction so as to allow for the transport of ions. The illuminated halfcell contains a photosensitizer, an electron relay substance and a catalyst, and the darkened halfcell may contain a second electron relay and a catalyst. Illumination with visible light results in the simultaneous and separate generation of oxidation and reduction products.

Abstract: There is presented a photoelectrolyzer comprising a number of minute solar cell elements suspended in an electrolyte. Each element is made of, for example, a first thin film of intrinsic amorphous silicon having specific properties and/or N-type amorphous silicon and a second thin film of a P-type amorphous silicon.This apparatus is high in the sunlight collection efficiency and also is capable of electrolyzing an electrolyte with high electrolysis voltage such as water.

Abstract: A photovoltaic-electrolytic unit is provided to produce an electric current from solar energy and utilize the current to produce hydrogen by the electrolysis of water. The unit floats in an aqueous medium so that photoelectric cells are exposed to solar radiation, and electrodes submerged in the medium produce oxygen which is vented and hydrogen which is collected in the unit.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns primarily the recovery of hydrogen-reduced metals from aqueous solutions of salts thereof, by hydrogen reduction at a porous hydrophobic catalytic barrier, at ordinary temperatures, in an apparatus provided with means to supply hydrogen to one face and aqueous solution to the other face of said barrier.

Abstract: A device having a p-type electrode comprising InP or Si and an electrolyte comprising a redox couple and a hydrogen catalyst evolves hydrogen at the p-type electrode when illuminated.

Abstract: A method for desalination of sea water using a main electrochemical generr which has an anode compartment through which the water to be desalinated is fed and which causes formation in the solution of chlorates and perchlorates, removal of the latter being effected by a potassium salt such as potassium bicarbonate. The insoluble matters are separated from the solution, while the residual salts dissolved therein are oxidized at the anode of secondary electrochemical generator(s), under the form of persalts apt to be precipitated and removed by settling or filtration. The insoluble matters obtained at the various stages of this treatment can be decomposed by heating or electrolysis or under the action of a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid. The power consumed during desalination may be wholly or partly supplied by the above mentioned main electrochemical generator and secondary electrochemical generators.This method may be used to provide fresh water for agricultural, industrial or domestic purposes.

Abstract: Photochemical electrode can decompose water when irradiated with visible light and consists of red mercuric sulphide blackened by iodide treatment as a coating on a platinum mesh.

Abstract: Nitric oxide is formed by the oxidation of ammonia. An ammonia containing gas is contacted with an oxidation catalyst deposited on a surface of a solid electrolyte while an oxygen containing gas is contacted with a second catalyst capable of dissociating oxygen gas to oxygen ion deposited upon a second surface of the solid electrolyte. Oxygen ion is transported through the solid electrolyte to react with ammonia to form nitric oxide under simultaneous production of electric energy.

Abstract: Hydrogen is produced from an electrolyte solution by suspending semiconducting platelets in a vertically flowing solution of the electrolyte contained in a radiant energy transparent, vertically disposed divergent fluid conduit. By utilizing a divergent fluid conduit to suspend the platelets in the vertically flowing electrolyte the platelets are maintained in a substantially stable equilibrium position in the conduit with a constant electrolyte flow rate and the particular array of platelets in the conduit can be specifically controlled by simply varying the weight, size or shape of the platelets, further improving the hydrogen generating capability of such system. The fluid conduit is impinged with radiant energy of sufficient wavelength to cause charge transfer in the platelets dissociating the electrolyte solution producing the hydrogen gas. The platelets are maintained suspended in the vertically flowing electrolyte by controlling the flow rate of the electrolyte solution.

Abstract: Hydrogen and bromine are produced from a bromide-containing electrolyte solution by suspending semiconducting platelets in a vertically flowing solution of the electrolyte contained in a radiant energy transparent vertically disposed fluid conduit. The fluid conduit is impinged with radiant energy of sufficient wavelength to cause charge transfer in the platelets dissociating the electrolyte solution into bromine liquid and hydrogen gas. The platelets are maintained suspended in the vertically flowing electrolyte by controlling the flow rate of the electrolyte solution. The respective dissociation products are collected for subsequent energy generation. The semiconducting platelets comprise an n-doped semiconducting layer, ohmic contact, and p-doped semiconducting layer, at least the edge of the ohmic contact being covered by an insulation layer.

Abstract: A method for electroplating a metallic layer onto the surface of a photovoltaic device absent any external electrical contacts to the surface. The photovoltaic device is placed in an electrolytic plating bath where it is illuminated with electromagnetic radiation to which the device is photovoltaically responsive. Plating from the electrolytic bath results from current flow generated in the device itself.

Abstract: A gas diffusion semiconductor electrode and solar cell and a process for gaseous fixation, such as nitrogen photoreduction, CO.sub.2 photoreduction and fuel gas photo-oxidation. The gas diffusion photosensitive electrode has a central electrolyte-porous matrix with an activated semiconductor material on one side adapted to be in contact with an electrolyte and a hydrophobic gas diffusion region on the opposite side adapted to be in contact with a supply of molecular gas.

Abstract: Radiant energy in conjunction with an n-type amorphous silicon semiconducting photoanode to at least partially power an electrolytic cell is used in the generation of hydrogen, utilizing a bromide, preferably hydrogen bromide, as the essential electrolyte component in the electrolytic cell to solve overvoltage and corrosion problems associated with the use of conventional electrolytes in similar environments. The use of the bromide electrolyte results in the broadening of the selection of semiconductor electrodes which can be used in the process and apparatus of the present invention enabling the amorphous silicon semiconducting electrode to be used with superior anticorrosive and radiant energy gathering results over conventional systems. To insure against corrosion, the amorphous silicon semiconductor should preferably be used with a thin layer of platinum overcoating. The hydrogen generated from such system can be used to power a fuel cell.

Abstract: Radiant energy in conjunction with a boron phosphide semiconducting electrode to at least partially power an electrolytic cell is used in the generation of hydrogen, utilizing a bromide, preferably hydrogen bromide, as the essential electrolyte component in the electrolytic cell to solve overvoltage and corrosion problems associated with the use of conventional electrolytes in similar environments. The use of the bromide electrolyte results in the broadening of the selection of semiconductor electrodes which can be used in the process and apparatus of the present invention enabling the boron phosphide semiconducting electrode to be used with superior anticorrosive and radiant energy gathering results over conventional systems. The boron phosphide semiconductors employed can be either boron phosphide alone or multilayered structures with other semiconducting material. The hydrogen generated from such systems can be used to power a fuel cell.

Abstract: A halogen, such as chlorine, is generated by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal halide such as sodium chloride, in a cell having anolyte and catholyte chambers separated by a solid polymer electrolyte in the form of a stable, selectively cation permeable, ion exchange membrane. One or more catalytic electrodes including at least one thermally stabilized, reduced oxide of a platinum group metal are bonded to the surface of the membrane. An aqueous brine solution is brought into contact with the anode and water or an aqueous NaOH solution is brought into contact with the cathode. The brine is electrolyzed to produce chlorine at the anode and hydrogen and caustic at the cathode. The cell membrane preferably has an anion rejecting cathode side barrier layer which rejects hyroxyl ions to block back migration of caustic to the anode thereby enhancing the cathode current efficiency of the cell and of the process.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of carbon dioxide or the bicarbonate ion into useful organic compounds, such as formic acid, formaldehyde and methanol, which comprises carrying out the reduction in a photoelectrochemical cell, wherein the cathode is a p-type semiconductor, and at least part of the energy of reduction is supplied by light, including sunlight.

Abstract: Radiant energy to at least partially power an electrolytic cell is used in the generation of hydrogen, utilizing a bromide, preferably hydrogen bromide, as the essential electrolyte component in the electrolytic cell to solve overvoltage and corrosion problems associated with the use of conventional electrolytes in similar environments. The use of such material also results in a broadening of the selection of semiconductor electrodes which can be used in such process and apparatus. The semiconductors employed are generally nonmetals and can be multilayered structures comprised of a gradient of diminishing width band gap material. The hydrogen generated from such system can be used to power a fuel cell.

Abstract: Animal waste conversion into animal feed in a process and system including an electrochemical cell in which cell electrolytic conditions are controlled to promote growth of waste aerobic bacteria, without forming oxygen bubbles, and to produce hydrogen bubbles which are collected in the cell and then, in a fuel cell, converted into D.C. electricity that is utilized to supply the major portion of the electricity employed in the conversion cell. The system and process utilizes relatively concentrated waste liquor feeds to the conversion cell, e.g., from about 15% to about 10% total solids, and is adapted for continuous operations, e.g., as a supplemental feed-producing compliment to livestock-raising operations.

Abstract: Semiconductor particles are distributed in a single level layer orientation in a glass sheet with portions of each particle exposed at both surfaces of the sheet. A metal layer on one surface of the sheet is in ohmic contact with the body of each particle and forms a common electrode.

Abstract: A system for the photoenhanced reduction of nitrogen. A p-type semiconductor cathode with a band gap between about 0.8 and 3.0 eV is irradiated with light falling within such energy range. The cathode is in contact with an electrolyte and capable of injecting photogenerated electrons into the electrolyte. An anode provides for removal of the resulting holes from the cathode. Cathode and anode are short circuited. For nitrogen molecule reduction, the electrolyte solution contains a chemical species capable in reduced form of chemically binding molecular nitrogen and of facilitating a series of reduction steps on the nitrogen. Specifically, such a chemical species is titanium isopropoxide.

Abstract: A deposition unit having a cathode surface is submerged in a natural body of moving water containing various materials including metallic materials carried by the flow of movement of the water body. The flow of water encompasses the deposition unit and contacts the cathode surface. An electric current at the cathode surface causes electrodeposition of certain materials contained within the flow of moving water. The electrical energy for electrodeposition is derived from a naturally occurring and proximate energy source at the body of water. Energy from tidal flow, from water movement beneath the surface, from wave motion at the upper surface, or from a temperature difference between the upper and lower levels of the water body, operates an electrical generator which supplies the electrodeposition energy. The flow of water relative to the deposition unit cooperatively interacts with magnetic flux emanating from another embodiment of the deposition unit to establish the electrodeposition energy.

Abstract: Plating electrical contacts onto one or more surfaces of a solar cell having an electrical junction therein is accomplished by immersing the cell in an electrolyte and exposing it to light so that platable ions in the electrolyte will be attracted to an oppositely charged surface of the cell.

Abstract: Decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen by sunlight is accomplished by using a rhodate p-type semiconductor as cathode and an n-type semiconductor or a metal as anode. A cell exposed to sunlight using a rhodate cathode and an n-type TiO.sub.2 anode decomposes the contained water and also generates electric power.

Abstract: Platinized chlorophyll a dihydrate polycrystals are used to expedite the photochemical cleavage of water to yield molecular hydrogen and oxygen. The peak quantum efficiency of this photoelectrolytic apparatus at 740 nm is about 20%.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical metal plating and purification process includes at least one electrolyte containing a reduction-oxidation couple, one species of which is a metal cation which can be reduced to elemental metal at an electrode. The system includes an N-type photosensitive semiconductor electrode at which, under illumination, an oxidation reaction occurs, with concurrent reduction of the metal cation at the counter electrode. In operation, one ionic species of the electrolyte is oxidized while metal ions are reduced and collected as the elemental metal at the counter electrode. In cases where the elemental metal is liquid at the operation temperature, it is collected as a liquid metal pool under the counter electrode.