Abstract: The present invention discloses a membrane-less reactor design for microbial electrosynthesis of alcohols from carbon dioxide (CO2). The membrane-less reactor design thus facilitates higher and efficient CO2 transformation to alcohols via single pot microbial electrosynthesis. The reactor design operates efficiently avoiding oxygen contact at working electrode without using membrane, in turn there is an increase in CO2 solubility and its bioavailability for subsequent CO2 conversion to alcohols at faster rate. The present invention further provides a process of operation of the reactor for biotransformation of the carbon dioxide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 29, 2020
Date of Patent:
December 6, 2022
Assignees:
Indian Oil Corporation Limited
Inventors:
Manoj Kumar, Srikanth Sandipam, Suresh Kumar Puri, Sankara Sri Venkata Ramakumar, Ludovicus Diels, Lambertus Bouwman, Karolien Vanbroekhoven, Deepak Pant
Abstract: A CaTiO3—TiO2 composite electrode and method of making is described. The composite electrode comprises a substrate with an average 2-12 ?m thick layer of CaTiO3—TiO2 composite particles having average diameters of 0.2-2.2 ?m. The method of making the composite electrode involves contacting the substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent, a calcium complex, and a titanium complex. The CaTiO3—TiO2 composite electrode is capable of being used in a photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 2019
Date of Patent:
December 6, 2022
Assignee:
KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
Abstract: A method includes operating a water electrolysis device for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water. A PEM electrolyzer (1) is integrated in a water circuit (4) in the electrolysis device. The water circuit (4) feeds reaction water as well as discharges excess water. The water circuit (4) is lead past the PEM electrolyzer (1) via a bypass conduit (14) on starting up the water electrolysis device.
Abstract: The present document describes an electrolytic cell comprising a protective layer comprising elemental copper covering at least in part or all of a refractory material assembly covering an interior surface thereof. Also described is a copper oxide containing composition comprising copper oxide and any one of a reducing agent and a binder. Also described is a method of protecting a refractory material assembly covering an interior surface of an electrolytic cell, comprising covering at least in part, or all of the refractory material assembly with a copper sheet, a structure comprising elemental copper, a copper oxide, an elemental copper comprising composite material, a copper oxide containing composition and combinations thereof, to provide a protective layer comprising elemental copper.
Abstract: An electrolysis cell includes an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion-exchange membrane. The electrolysis cell includes an anode, a gas diffusion electrode, and a cathode current distributor. The anode, the ion-exchange membrane, the gas diffusion electrode, and the cathode current distributor are in direct touching contact in the mentioned order. Flexibly resilient holding elements are arranged on the other side of the anode and/or on the other side of the cathode current distributor. The flexibly resilient holding elements exert a contact pressure on the anode and/or on the cathode current distributor. The flexibly resilient holding elements have annular elements, the axis of which is oriented in the height direction of the electrolysis cell. By means of the flexibly resilient and in part also plastically deforming annular elements, effective mechanical contact pressure of the ion-exchange membrane against the oxygen-depolarized cathode is achieved.
Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a membrane located between two flow field plates. On a first side of the membrane, there is a porous support surrounded by a seal between the membrane and the flow field plate. There is a gap between the porous support and the seal at the surface of the membrane. On a second side of the membrane, there is a seal between the membrane and the flow field plate located inside of the gap in plan view. The electrochemical cell is useful, for example, in high pressure or differential pressure electrolysis in which the second side of the membrane will be consistently exposed to a higher pressure than the first side of the membrane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 29, 2020
Date of Patent:
October 25, 2022
Assignee:
Hydrogenics Corporation
Inventors:
Rami Michel Abouatallah, Rainey Yu Wang, Nathaniel Ian Joos
Abstract: A method and electrolysis cell for producing lithium metal at a low temperature. The method includes combining (i) acetonitrile and (ii) a cation bis(trihaloalkylsulfonyl)imide, cation bis(trihalosulfonyl)imidic acid, a cation bis(trihaloalkylsulfonyl)amide, or cation bis(trihaloalkylsulfonyl)amidic acid in a weight ratio of (i) to (ii) about 100:1 to about 5:1 to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte composition. A lithium compound selected from the group consisting of LiOH, Li2O and Li2CO3 is dissolved in the electrolyte composition to provide a lithium doped electrolyte composition. Power is applied to the electrolyte composition to form lithium metal on a cathode of an electrolysis cell. The lithium metal separated from the cathode has a purity of at least about 95 wt. %.
Abstract: The present disclosure provides Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) technology for selectively sequestering one or more target molecules from chemical mixtures. Also disclosed herein are MIP beads and methods of making and using thereof.
Abstract: Photoelectrochemical cells including a cathode including alpha-hematite and a metal dichalcogenide, an anode including a conducting polymer, and an electrolyte.
Abstract: A hydrogen generating fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode separated by a channel configured to hold liquid water or water vapor. At least one of the anode and the cathode are porous. The hydrogen generating fuel cell includes a power source electrically connected to the anode and the cathode and an ultraviolet radiation source positioned to emit ultraviolet radiation from the anode to the cathode, the cathode to the anode, or both directions. A hydrogen generating system and a method of generating hydrogen are also disclosed.
Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for cleaning materials, such as flooring and upholstery. In some cases, the systems and methods use an electrolytic cell to electrolyze a solution comprising sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sodium percarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and/or any other suitable chemical to generate electrolyzed alkaline water and/or electrolyzed oxidizing water. In some cases, the cell comprises a recirculation loop that recirculates anolyte through an anode compartment of the cell. In some cases, the cell further comprises a sensor and a processor, where the processor is configured to automatically change an operation of the cell, based on a reading from the sensor. In some cases, a fluid flows past a magnet before entering the cell. In some additional cases, fluid from the cell is conditioned by being split into multiple conduits that run in proximity to each other. Additional implementations are described.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 26, 2019
Date of Patent:
September 13, 2022
Assignee:
Z Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
Inventors:
Gaylord M. Karren, James K. Stone, John M. Hopkins, William R. Shupe
Abstract: Provided herein are anode and/or cathode pan assemblies comprising unique manifold, outlet tube, and/or baffle plate configurations; electrochemical cell and/or electrolyzer containing the anode and/or the cathode pan assemblies; and methods to use and manufacture the same.
Abstract: A portable communication device according to various embodiments includes a housing that forms at least a portion of an external surface of the portable communication device, wherein at least a portion of an area of the housing comprises: an aluminum alloy substrate including 90.0 to 99.8 weight % (wt %) of aluminum (Al) and 0.2 to 1.
Abstract: Provided herein are electrochemical cell and/or electrolyzer configurations with membrane-electrode gap and optionally one or more spacers; and methods to use and manufacture the same.
Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and method for electroplating an alpha emitting radionuclide, such as an actinide, for use in alpha spectroscopy. The electrodeposition system for electroplating an alpha emitting radionuclide can include an electroplating cell containing a solution of an electrolyte and the alpha emitting radionuclide, a metal target within the electroplating cell, and a metal anode at a distance from the metal target. The system also includes a platform for supporting the electroplating cell, coupling mechanism connected to the platform, an electric motor on the elastic cushion, and a flywheel with an uneven weight distribution operatively connected to the electric motor. Rotation of the unevenly distributed flywheel generates a vibration in the electroplating cell which dislodges gas bubbles that have formed between the metal target and the metal anode.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 21, 2020
Date of Patent:
August 23, 2022
Assignee:
CURIUM US LLC
Inventors:
William Claude Uhland, Arend Booij, Marjolijn Gerritsen
Abstract: A power supply system for a vertical continuous electroplating frame, comprising: a power supply rail arranged on the vertical continuous electroplating device; and an electrode case, arranged a case body on the top surface of the electroplating frame, inside the case body having an electrode plate corresponding to the power supply rail, at the bottom of the electrode plate having an elastic unit, the top surface of the case body having a positioning groove corresponding to the electrode plate, when the electrode plate is electrical contacted with the power supply rail, the electroplating current is provided to the object to be plated through the electroplating frame.
Abstract: Water electrolyzer comprising a membrane having first and second opposed major surfaces, a thickness extending between the first and second major surfaces, and first, second, and third regions equally spaced across the thickness, wherein the first region is the closest region to the first major surface, wherein the second region is the closest region to the second major surface, wherein the third region is located between the first and second regions, wherein the first and third regions are each essentially free of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide, and wherein the second region comprises at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide; a cathode comprising a first catalyst on the first major surface of the membrane; and an anode comprising a second catalyst on the second major surface of the membrane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 16, 2022
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Krzysztof A. Lewinski, Sean M. Luopa, Jiyoung Park, Attila Molnar
Abstract: A plating apparatus for electroplating a wafer includes a housing defining a plating chamber for housing a plating solution. A voltage source of the apparatus has a first terminal having a first polarity and a second terminal having a second polarity different than the first polarity. The first terminal is electrically coupled to the wafer. An anode is within the plating chamber, and the second terminal is electrically coupled to the anode. A membrane support is within the plating chamber and over the anode. The membrane support defines apertures, wherein in a first zone of the membrane support a first aperture-area to surface-area ratio is a first ratio, and in a second zone of the membrane support a second aperture-area to surface-area ratio is a second ratio, different than the first ratio.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 22, 2020
Date of Patent:
August 2, 2022
Assignee:
TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY
LIMITED
Abstract: Methods and electroplating systems for controlling plating electrolyte concentration on an electrochemical plating apparatus for substrates are disclosed. A method involves: (a) providing an electroplating solution to an electroplating system; (b) electroplating the metal onto the substrate while the substrate is held in a cathode chamber of an electroplating cell of electroplating system; (c) supplying the make-up solution to the electroplating system via a make-up solution inlet; and (d) supplying the secondary electroplating solution to the electroplating system via a secondary electroplating solution inlet. The secondary electroplating solution includes some or all components of the electroplating solution. At least one component of the secondary electroplating solution has a concentration that significantly deviates from its target concentration.