Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing coupled electrochemical and enzymatic reactions are disclosed. The method comprises applying an electrical potential between an anode and a metallic membrane. A hydrogen-containing compound may be electrochemically dissociated at the anode to form hydrogen ions. The hydrogen ions may be transported to a first surface of the metallic membrane and thereon, the hydrogen ions are reduced to form hydrogen atoms. The hydrogen atoms may then diffuse through the metallic membrane to reach an opposing second surface of the metallic membrane in an enzyme compartment. At the second surface, electrons are transferred to the hydrogen atom to form hydride ions. The hydride ions may react with oxidized cofactors in the enzyme compartment to form reduced cofactors. In some embodiments, the reduced cofactors is used by an enzyme in an enzymatic reaction with a substrate to form one or more products and releases an oxidized cofactor.

Abstract: A hydrogen permeable membrane comprises a dense layer of a hydrogen permeable metal having first and second faces. The first face of the dense layer has a rough surface which may be formed for example by electrodeposition of a hydrogen permeable metal such as palladium. One or more co-catalysts are provided on the rough surface. The co-catalysts may comprise thin sputtered layers. The one or more co-catalysts have an area density not exceeding 20 µg per cm2; and/or a majority of the co catalysts are in an outer portion of the rough surface, the outer portion of the rough surface being less than one half of a thickness of the rough surface defined by peaks of the rough surface. The membrane may be used in a cell to facilitate chemical reactions including hydrogenation, dehydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation reactions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of complexes exhibiting reversible light-induced magnetization, and/or heat, and/or electrically-induced switching with unprecedented lifetimes. In particular embodiments, the complexes are provided as organic thin films that can exhibit long lifetimes at ambient temperatures. In some representative embodiments, the complex comprises an electronically bistable cobalt complex functionalized with an optically bistable ligand. A photoisomerization-induced spin-charge excited state (PISCES) process can occur, resulting in the direct observation of light-induced spin state switching at room temperature in the solid state.