Abstract: A solvated electron lithium electrode comprising a solution of lithium dissolved in liquid ammonia with a lithium intercalating membrane is provided for use in rechargeable high energy density lithium-based cells utilizing a lithium ion conducting liquid non-aqueous electrolyte with a solid positive electrode, or utilizing liquid lithium ion conducting positive electroactive material. The rechargeable lithium-based cell according to the present invention reduces coulombic efficiency losses associated with surface morphological changes at a solid lithium electrode, and is suitable for electrical vehicle propulsion and load leveling applications.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing carbon dioxide to the product includes a reduction cell which has a dual porosity cathode, a catholyte chamber having an inlet, a passageway through which passes an electrolyte, a dual porosity cathode separating the passageway from the catholyte chamber, an anolyte chamber has an inlet and an outlet. A porous anode with a hydrophobic barrier separates the passageway from the anolyte chamber. A source provides a d.c. voltage across the cathode and the anode. Water is provided to the inlet of the anolyte chamber, while an electrolyte is provided to the passageway. Carbon dioxide is provided to the inlet of the catholyte chamber so that the carbon dioxide is electrochemically reduced within the dual porosity cathode with the electrolyte and hydrogen ions so as to cause the reduction of the carbon dioxide to a product and to cause oxygen to be emitted from the outlet of the anode chamber. The product is removed from the electrolyte after leaving the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A solvated electron lithium electrode comprising a solution of lithium dissolved in liquid ammonia is provided for use in rechargeable high energy density lithium-based cells utilizing a lithium ion conducting solid electrolyte to separate the liquid solvated negative electrode from liquid positive electroactive material or electrolyte. The rechargeable lithium-based cell according to the present invention reduces coulombic efficiency losses associated with surface morphological changes at a solid lithium electrode, and is suitable for electrical vehicle propulsion and load leveling applications.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing carbon dioxide to at least one useful product includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is provided to a second membrane whch is contiguous to one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions. The second membrane has photosensitizers and a catalyst. Water provides hydrogen ions, which participate in the reduction of the carbon dioxide, via a separator. In operation both membranes are illuminated and produce excited photosensitizers which cause electron transfer from a first redox solution to a second redox solution and thence to the carbon dioxide in the second membrane thereby, in cooperation with the hydrogen ions, reducing at least some of the carbon dioxide at a surface of the second membrane to provide at least one product.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to a product includes a housing divided into two sections by membrane. An electrolyte solution including a non-aqueous electrolyte dimethylformamide and a supporting electrolyte is provided to the two sections of the housing. A n-Si cathode is located in one section of the housing while an anode is located in the other section. Carbon dioxide is provided to the section having the cathode. A direct voltage is provided to the cathode and to the anode so that a current can pass and cooperate in a reaction between the carbon dioxide and the electrolyte solution to provide a product.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting metallic elements to metallic oxalates in the presence of carbon dioxide includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is provided to a second membrane which is contiguous to one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions. The second membrane has photosensitizers and a catalyst. A non-aqueous electrolyte slurry, which includes a metal element, solvent and salt, is provided in a manner so that some of the slurry is in contact with the second membrane. Both membranes are illuminated and electrical voltage is provided across the electrolyte solutions and the electrolyte slurry in a manner so that there is one electrode in another electrolyte solution and another electrode in the electrolyte slurry so as to cause a reaction between the carbon dioxide at the second membrane and the electrolyte slurry to produce the metallic oxalate.

Abstract: Apparatus for the carbonylation of nitrobenzene or 2-5 dinitrotoluene with carbon dioxide to provide a product includes a housing which contains an electrolyte solution having a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a supporting electrolyte. A membrane divides the housing into two sections while permitting ions to move between the two sections. Carbon dioxide and nitrobenzene or 2-5 dinitrotoluene are provided to the housing. A d.c. voltage is provided across the electrolyte solution in the two sections of the housing, to cooperate in a reaction of the carbon dioxide, the nitrobenzene or the 2-5 dinitrotoluene and the electrolyte solution to provide a chemical product.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing oxalic acid to a product includes a cell. A separator which separates the cell into two chambers; a catholyte chamber and an anolyte chamber. Each chamber has an inlet and an outlet. A porous cathode having a catalyst is arranged within the catholyte chamber so that a catholyte entering the inlet of the catholyte chamber will pass through the cathode. A porous anode is arranged within the anolyte section so that an electrolyte entering the inlet of the anolyte section will pass through the anode and exit through the outlet of anolyte section. A source provides the catholyte which is a mixture of oxalic acid and an electrolyte to the inlet of the catholyte chamber while another source provides the electrolyte to the inlet of the anolyte chamber. A d.c. voltage is provided between the cathode and the anode so as to cooperate in the reduction of oxalic acid within the porous cathode to a product which exits the catholyte chamber by way of its outlet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing carbon dioxide to at least one useful product includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is provided to a second membrane which is contiguous to one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions. The second membrane has photosensitizers and a catalyst. Water provides hdyrogen ions, which participate in the reduction of the carbon dioxide, via a separator. In operation both membranes are illuminated and produce excited photosensitizers which cause electron transfer from a first redox solution to a second redox solution and thence to the carbon dioxide in the second membrane thereby, in cooperation with the hydrogen ions, reducing at least some of the carbon dioxide at a surface of the second membrane to provide at least one product.

Abstract: A process for reducing carbon dioxide to at least one useful product includes two redox couple electrolyte solutions separated by a first membrane having photosensitizers. The carbon dioxide to be reduced is separated from one of the redox couple electrolyte solutions by another membrane having a catalyst. Water provides hydrogen ions which participate in the reduction of carbon dioxide via a separator. In the operation both membranes are illuminated and produce excited solar sensitizers which cause electron transfer from a first redox solution to the second redox solution and then to the carbon dioxide to react with the hydrogen ions, reducing the carbon dioxide to provide at least one product.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for production of fuels by photoelectrolysis of water and photooxidation of water soluble biomass and a process for preparation of Schottky-type metalized, appropriately doped n-type semiconductor photochemical diodes suitable for use in the above process and apparatus. The production of hydrogen by photoelectrolysis of water as the cathodic reaction of an optically illuminated photochemical diode is effected in an aqueous electrolyte which comprises a biomass product which may be monosaccharides, polysaccharides, lignins, their partially oxidized products, and mixtures thereof which are oxidized as the anodic reaction of the photochemical diode producing liquid fuels and useful chemicals. Molecular oxygen evolution is avoided and utilization of biomass product provides a cost effective material to increase fuels and useful chemical production by photoelectrolysis of water at potentials substantially less than required for normal water electrolysis involving oxygen evolution.

Abstract: A continuous electrolyte flow electrochemical cell having an outer tubular shaped electrode, a central electron conducting current collector shaft extending through the central portion of the tubular electrode, the current collector shaft having projecting radially therefrom a plurality of electron conducting extensions spaced to permit flow of liquid electrolyte therethrough forming a counterelectrode. In a preferred embodiment the outer tubular electrode is separated from the inner counterelectrode by a concentric tubular shaped separator permitting separated flow of two electrolytes therethrough, one through the annular electrolyte space between the separator and the electrode, and a second through the tubular counterelectrode chamber within the separator. The invention provides a high efficiency, continuous electrolyte flow electrochemical cell particularly well suited for use in heterogeneous electrochemical reaction processes, such as coal depolarized water electrolysis.

Abstract: This invention relates to lithium-germanium containing electrodes for electrical energy storage batteries, batteries containing such electrodes and a process for fabrication of such electrodes from materials in the charged and uncharged state. The electro-chemically active material may be a binary alloy of lithium-germanium or ternary alloys of lithium-germanium-silicon and lithium-germanium-aluminum. Negative electrodes for electrical storage batteries fabricated according to this invention provide batteries having improved stability over prior art lithium containing electrodes and provides a particularly advantageous negative electrode for use in lithium-metal sulfide batteries having improved stability.

Abstract: An electrochemical zinc-oxygen cell is disclosed which has annular electrodes wherein oxygen flows through the central portion of a diffusion cathode and a liquid electrolyte flows between a separator surrounding the diffusion cathode and concentric anode spaced from the separator. The disclosed cell may be recharged electrochemically or by replenishment of active zinc particles in the electrolyte exterior to the cell. The electrochemical cell of the present invention provides a zinc-oxygen cell having a zinc anode surface providing more even contact with the active electrolyte and more even surface upon repeated electrochemical recharging than prior cells while permitting higher pressure differentials across the oxygen diffusion cathode structure than prior art cells.

Abstract: Gas flow through electrodes for electrochemical cells having a porous flow through matrix with electrocatalysts supported on the surfaces of the matrix within the pores, the pores providing a through route for a metastable colloid of electrochemically reducible or oxidizable gas bubbles in liquid electrolyte, with absorption of some of the gaseous component on the walls of the pores. Improved depolarization of the electrode provides long life and stable gas flow through electrodes for electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A lead-acid battery having a positive electrode with an electrically conducting current collector bus plate, a honeycomb matrix structure extending from at least one side of the bus plate forming multiple positive active material compartments and an acid ion porous retainer means adjacent the open ends of the material compartments, the compartments containing positive active material having lead oxide reactive material and an electronic conductive additive within an acid ion porous structure. The electronic conductive additive increases the electronic flow from the reaction site in the positive active material to the current collector bus plate. This invention provides an improved positive active material with an electronic conductive additive. The positive active material, positive electrodes and lead-acid batteries of this invention provide high energy densities and high cycle lives suitable for use in electric vehicles.

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: A solid state photoelectrochemical cell providing in-situ electrochemical energy storage having a homogeneous solid electrolyte matrix and associated ionic conductors with a central electrolyte separator portion providing ionic conductance and an oxidant portion on one side and a reductant portion on the other side each having redox couples in fixed lattice positions and possessing ionic and electronic conductivity. At least one photosensitive photoelectrode is in ionic communication with the oxidant and/or reductant portion(s) whereby electrons or electron holes are transmitted to that portion while the photoelectrode is illuminated causing oxidation or reduction of the redox couple. The apparatus and process provide conversion of solar to electrical energy using a solid state photoelectrochemical cell.

Abstract: A stable, long life sodium/sulfur electrochemical cell or battery wherein the cathodic current collector has a boronized surface in contact with the cathodic reactant and an additional boron source in physical proximity to the boronized current collector surface. In one embodiment, the cathodic current collector is the can or electrode container thereby providing a stable, long life cell casing protected from corrosion effects.

Abstract: A secondary zinc/oxygen electrochemical cell utilizing a circulating aqueous inorganic oxyacid electrolyte and having an external load circuit or charging circuit in electronic communication with the anode and cathode, the circuit being completed by ionic interaction through an ionic separator between the catholyte and anolyte. The electrochemical cell of this invention provides a process for production of electricity and may be recharged by providing electrical energy from the external circuit.