Abstract: Crystallizer devices and methods of direct air capture of carbon dioxide are described herein. The methods include providing one or more polymeric strands in contact with an alkaline capture solution. Each of the polymeric strands is comprised of a plurality of polymeric fibers that combine to form an outer surface of the polymeric strand. The outer surface of the strand forms a crystallizing surface. The alkaline capture solution travels by way of capillary force from the outer surface of the strand inwardly through intra-strand pores and from a first end of the strand in a direction towards a second end of the strand through intra-strand pores. The methods also include, as the alkaline solution travels towards the second end, contacting the one or more polymeric strands with ambient air such that KOH within the alkaline solution reacts with CO2 to form K2CO3 precipitate at the crystallizing surface.

Abstract: A surface-modified catalyst, a multilayer cathode and a system for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in an acidic medium releasing protons are described. More particularly, the surface-modified catalyst, the multilayer cathode and the system comprise least one heterocyclic organic molecule preventing protons from accessing an active site on a surface of the cathode catalyst material to decrease an hydrogen evolution reaction, as compared to the absence of said heterocyclic organic molecule. The use of the surface-modified catalyst, the multilayer cathode and the system for the production of multicarbon products as well as their processes of manufacturing are also described. Finally, also described are methods for electrochemical production of a multicarbon product using the multilayer cathode and the system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst for sustaining electroreduction of carbon dioxide into carbon products in a non-alkali acidic medium, the CO2R catalyst comprising: a catalytic layer being electrically conductive and comprising a metal catalyst favouring CO2R reactions, and an ionic layer being ionically conductive and deposited onto the catalytic layer, the ionic layer comprising an ionomer, with the ionomer comprising a cationic functional group being covalently bonded to a polymeric backbone of the ionomer and adsorbed on the surface of the catalytic layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a MEA electrolyser comprising a cathodic compartment operating CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR) of CO2 from a gaseous CO2-containing stream, an anodic compartment operating all-liquid organic oxidation reactions (OOR), an ionic exchange membrane in between. A CO2RR-OOR system can further include a gas-liquid separation unit in fluid communication with the anodic compartment to receive the anodic product mixture and separate gaseous CO2 from the anodic product mixture to produce a CO2-depleted liquid product stream and a recovered pure gaseous CO2 stream. The system can further include a recycle line in fluid communication with the gas-liquid separation unit to redirect the recovered pure gaseous CO2 stream to the cathodic compartment of the MEA electrolyser as a portion of the gaseous CO2-containing stream.

Abstract: A device for selecting sperm includes a stack of a plurality of layers of a material. The stack has an inlet end and an outlet end. Each layer of the material includes a plurality of sperm selection microchannels. Each sperm selection microchannel has a respective microchannel inlet at the inlet end of the stack and extends to a respective microchannel outlet at the outlet end of the stack.

Abstract: The present techniques relate to a microchanneled solid electrolyte (MSE), an electrolyzer and a method including or using the MSE for in-situ regeneration and collection of CO2 during a CO2 electroreduction operation. The MSE includes an anion conducting layer configured to conduct (bi) carbonate anions from a surface of an adjacent cathode; a cation conducting layer configured to conduct protons from a surface of an adjacent anode; and an integrated channel layer comprising multiple microchannels formed between the anion conducting layer and the cation conducting layer. The microchannels define a hollow path extending across the integrated channel layer for receiving the (bi) carbonate anions from the anion conducting layer and the protons from the cation conducting layer, thereby locally regenerating and collecting CO2 along and within the microchannels.

Abstract: A device for measuring thermal conductivity includes (a) a heater system including a plurality of resistive heaters and a voltage measurement system for measuring voltage across each resistive heater; (b) at least one thermal reservoir maintainable at a reservoir temperature; and (c) a set of chambers positioned between the heater system and the thermal reservoir. Each chamber is fillable with fluid to a respective chamber height extending between an inner end in thermal communication with a respective heater and an outer end in thermal communication with the thermal reservoir. The set of chambers includes at least one sample chamber for filling with a sample medium and a plurality of reference chambers for containing a reference medium and having different chamber heights from each other for providing a different thermal resistance through each chamber height of reference medium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a MEA electrolyser comprising a cathodic compartment operating CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR) of CO2 from a gaseous CO2-containing stream, an anodic compartment operating all-liquid organic oxidation reactions (OOR), an ionic exchange membrane in between. A CO2RR-OOR system can further include a gas-liquid separation unit in fluid communication with the anodic compartment to receive the anodic product mixture and separate gaseous CO2 from the anodic product mixture to produce a CO2-depleted liquid product stream and a recovered pure gaseous CO2 stream. The system can further include a recycle line in fluid communication with the gas-liquid separation unit to redirect the recovered pure gaseous CO2 stream to the cathodic compartment of the MEA electrolyser as a portion of the gaseous CO2-containing stream.

Abstract: Multilayer cathodes for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide as well as membrane electrode assemblies and bipolar membrane electrode assemblies comprising the multilayer cathodes are described. More particularly, the multilayer cathodes for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide comprise a gas diffusion layer, a cathode catalyst layer disposed on the gas diffusion layer, and a permeable carbon dioxide regeneration layer comprising an anion exchange ionomer disposed on the cathode catalyst layer. The uses of the multilayer cathodes, the membrane electrode assemblies and the bipolar membrane electrode assemblies for the production of multicarbon products as well as their processes of manufacturing are also described. Finally, also described are methods for electrochemical production of a multicarbon product using the multilayer cathodes, the membrane electrode assemblies and the bipolar membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode for CO2 electroreduction in an acidic electrolyte comprising cation species, the electrode comprising: a substrate, a metal-based catalyst material, and a cation-augmenting material; wherein the cation-augmenting material comprises an acidic group exchanging protons with the cation species of the acidic electrolyte so as to increase a concentration of the cation species at a surface of the electrode.

Abstract: A multiple-layer gas diffusion electrode for sustaining electrochemical reduction of gaseous CO2 and/or CO into multi-carbon products is provided, including a gas diffusion layer comprising a support layer, a microporous layer having pores that are sized to maintain the gaseous CO2 and/or CO, or a combination thereof available for electroreduction, and a catalytic layer comprising a catalyst favoring reduction of the CO2 and/or CO. There are also provided, a method for producing the gas diffusion electrode, a spacer being positionable between an ion exchange membrane and an anode of a membrane electrode assembly, a reactor including a membrane electrode assembly and a support structure, a stack reactor that can include the gas diffusion electrode and the spacer as described herein, a method to diagnose and isolate at least one faulty repeat cell unit in an electrolyzer stack reactor, and a rinsing method for facilitating operation of an electroreduction system.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for electrochemically converting carbon monoxide (CO) into ethylene (C2H4) under applied current density, the MEA comprising: a cathode; an anode; an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) to separate the cathode from the anode; an anolyte; a reactant inlet in fluid communication with the cathode to provide a CO-enriched gas component; and a product outlet in fluid communication with the cathode to release a product mixture comprising C2H4; wherein the cathode comprises: a first layer including adsorption sites to adsorb CO as CO* intermediates; a second layer that facilitates stabilization of the CO* intermediates for adsorption onto the adsorption sites of the first layer; and a third layer that facilitates diffusion of CO to the adsorption sites of the first layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode for CO2 electroreduction in an acidic electrolyte comprising cation species, the electrode comprising: a substrate, a metal-based catalyst material, and a cation-augmenting material; wherein the cation-augmenting material comprises an acidic group exchanging protons with the cation species of the acidic electrolyte so as to increase a concentration of the cation species at a surface of the electrode.

Abstract: An electroreduction system for converting carbon oxides selected from CO, CO2 or any mixture thereof into multicarbon (C2+) products. the system comprising a cathodic compartment having a reactant inlet and comprising a cathode, the cathode comprising a catalyst layer that is contactable with a catholyte solution; an anodic compartment having a product outlet to release the C2+ products, the anodic compartment comprising an anode and being configured to accommodate a flowing anolyte solution; and a bipolar membrane being positioned between the cathodic compartment and the anodic compartment, the bipolar membrane comprising an interfacial layer defined between a cation-exchange layer and a anion-exchange layer, wherein the cathodic compartment is configured to accommodate a stationary catholyte layer between the catalyst layer of the cathode and the CEL, the stationary catholyte layer comprising the catholyte solution.

Abstract: A method for determining specific heat capacity of fluids includes: (a) injecting a reference fluid into at least one channel of a reference substrate and a sample fluid into at least one channel of a sample substrate; (b) establishing a temperature gradient along the at least one channel of each substrate; (c) measuring temperature differential between the reference and sample substrates along the temperature gradient for a stagnant condition to define a baseline temperature differential, and for each of a plurality of flowrate ratios of the reference and sample fluids flowing through respective channels; and (d) based on the measuring in (c), determining a thermally-balanced flowrate ratio at which the temperature differential corresponds to the baseline temperature differential, and evaluating the specific heat capacity of the sample fluid based on the thermally-balanced flowrate ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode for CO2 electroreduction in an acidic electrolyte comprising cation species, the electrode comprising: a substrate, a metal-based catalyst material, and a cation-augmenting material; wherein the cation-augmenting material comprises an acidic group exchanging protons with the cation species of the acidic electrolyte so as to increase a concentration of the cation species at a surface of the electrode.

Abstract: A self-cleaning CO2 reduction strategy is proposed herein including alternating operation and regeneration of the CO2 electrolysis system. The strategy includes application of short and periodic reductions in applied voltage, thereby avoiding saturation and prevention of carbonate salt formation.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for electrochemically converting carbon monoxide (CO) into ethylene (C2H4) under applied current density, the MEA comprising: a cathode; an anode; an anion-exchange membrane (AEM) to separate the cathode from the anode; an anolyte; a reactant inlet in fluid communication with the cathode to provide a CO-enriched gas component; and a product outlet in fluid communication with the cathode to release a product mixture comprising C2H4; wherein the cathode comprises: a first layer including adsorption sites to adsorb CO as CO* intermediates; a second layer that facilitates stabilization of the CO* intermediates for adsorption onto the adsorption sites of the first layer; and a third layer that facilitates diffusion of CO to the adsorption sites of the first layer.

Abstract: There are provided devices and methods for automated production of a purified target biomolecular product. The device can be portable, and can include a purification compartment, a wash buffer compartment, an elution buffer compartment, fluidic channels, a fluidic system and a processor powerable by a power source and operatively connected to the fluidic system for controlling the automated production of the purified target biomolecular product. The purification compartment can be configured to contain purification components and receive a raw biomolecular products mixture therein for binding a target biomolecular product and produce the purified target biomolecular product. The fluidic channels can be configured to successively introduce the raw biomolecular products mixture, a washing buffer and an elution buffer into the purification compartment.

Abstract: An abrupt interface electroreduction catalyst includes a porous gas diffusion layer and a catalyst layer providing a sharp reaction interface. The electroreduction catalyst can be used for converting CO2 into a target product such as ethylene. The porous gas diffusion layer can be hydrophobic and configured for contacting gas-phase CO2 while the catalyst layer is disposed on and covers a reaction interface side of the porous gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer has another side contacting an electrolyte and can be hydrophilic, composed a metal such as Cu and is sufficiently thin to prevent diffusion limitations of the reactant in the electrolyte and enhance selectivity for the target product. The electroreduction catalyst can be made by vapor deposition methods and can be used for electrochemical production of ethylene in reaction system.