Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a mist elimination system that prevents mist from escaping from the cell chamber and conserves moisture within the cell. An exemplary mist elimination system includes a spill prevention device that reduces or prevents an electrolyte from escaping from the cell chamber in the event of an upset, wherein the electrochemical cell is tipped over. A mist elimination system includes a recombination portion that reacts with hydrogen to produce water, that may be reintroduced into the cell chamber. A mist elimination system includes a neutralizer portion that reacts with an electrolyte to bring the pH closer to neutral, as acid/base reaction. A mist elimination system includes a filter that captures mist that may be reintroduced into the cell chamber. A mist elimination system includes a hydrophobic filter on the outer surface to prevent water and other liquids from entering into the mist elimination system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell utilizes an air flow device that draws air through the cell from a scrubber that may be removed while the system is operating. The negative pressure generated by the air flow device allows ambient air to enter the cell housing when the scrubber is removed, thereby enabling continued operation without the scrubber. A moisture management system passes outflow air from the cell through a humidity exchange module that transfers moisture to the air inflow, thereby increasing the humidity of the air inflow. A recirculation feature comprising a valve allow a controller to recirculate at least a portion of the outflow air back into the inflow air. The system may comprise an inflow bypass conduit and valve that allows the humidified inflow air to pass into the cell inlet without passing through the scrubber. The scrubber may contain reversible or irreversible scrubber media.

Abstract: Water generation systems and methods of generating water from air are disclosed herein. Systems for generating water from air can comprise a solar thermal unit comprising a hygroscopic material, composite or assembly configured to capture water vapor from air during a loading cycle and release water vapor to a working fluid during an unloading cycle. Water generation systems can further include a condenser for condensing water vapor from the working fluid to produce water. Methods for generating water from air disclosed herein can comprise receiving a system operational parameter from a loading and/or unloading cycle. Methods of operation can also include determining a loading and/or unloading system operational setpoint based on the system operational parameter. During a loading cycle, the method includes flowing ambient air through the hygroscopic material, composite or assembly to capture water vapor from air.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell utilizes an air flow device that draws air through the cell from a scrubber that may be removed while the system is operating. The negative pressure generated by the air flow device allows ambient air to enter the cell housing when the scrubber is removed, thereby enabling continued operation without the scrubber. A moisture management system passes outflow air from the cell through a humidity exchange module that transfers moisture to the air inflow, thereby increasing the humidity of the air inflow. A recirculation feature comprising a valve allow a controller to recirculate at least a portion of the outflow air back into the inflow air. The system may comprise an inflow bypass conduit and valve that allows the humidified inflow air to pass into the cell inlet without passing through the scrubber. The scrubber may contain reversible or irreversible scrubber media.

Abstract: Water generation systems and methods of generating water from air are disclosed herein. Systems for generating water from air can comprise a solar thermal unit comprising a hygroscopic material, composite or assembly configured to capture water vapor from air during a loading cycle and release water vapor to a working fluid during an unloading cycle. Water generation systems can further include a condenser for condensing water vapor from the working fluid to produce water. Methods for generating water from air disclosed herein can comprise receiving a system operational parameter from a loading and/or unloading cycle. Methods of operation can also include determining a loading and/or unloading system operational setpoint based on the system operational parameter. During a loading cycle, the method includes flowing ambient air through the hygroscopic material, composite or assembly to capture water vapor from air.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a mist elimination system that prevents mist from escaping from the cell chamber and conserves moisture within the cell. An exemplary mist elimination system includes a spill prevention device that reduces or prevents an electrolyte from escaping from the cell chamber in the event of an upset, wherein the electrochemical cell is tipped over. A mist elimination system includes a recombination portion that reacts with hydrogen to produce water, that may be reintroduced into the cell chamber. A mist elimination system includes a neutralizer portion that reacts with an electrolyte to bring the pH closer to neutral, as acid/base reaction. A mist elimination system includes a filter that captures mist that may be reintroduced into the cell chamber. A mist elimination system includes a hydrophobic filter on the outer surface to prevent water and other liquids from entering into the mist elimination system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell utilizes an air flow device that draws air through the cell from a scrubber that may be removed while the system is operating. The negative pressure generated by the air flow device allows ambient air to enter the cell housing when the scrubber is removed, thereby enabling continued operation without the scrubber. A moisture management system passes outflow air from the cell through a humidity exchange module that transfers moisture to the air inflow, thereby increasing the humidity of the air inflow. A recirculation feature comprising a valve allow a controller to recirculate at least a portion of the outflow air back into the inflow air. The system may comprise an inflow bypass conduit and valve that allows the humidified inflow air to pass into the cell inlet without passing through the scrubber. The scrubber may contain reversible or irreversible scrubber media.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a permeable fuel electrode configured to support a metal fuel thereon, and an oxidant reduction electrode spaced from the fuel electrode. An ionically conductive medium is provided for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A charging electrode is also included, selected from the group consisting of (a) the oxidant reduction electrode, (b) a separate charging electrode spaced from the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, and (c) a portion of the permeable fuel electrode. The charging electrode is configured to evolve gaseous oxygen bubbles that generate a flow of the ionically conductive medium. One or more flow diverters are also provided in the electrochemical cell, and configured to direct the flow of the ionically conductive medium at least partially through the permeable fuel electrode.

Abstract: Provided is a rechargeable electrochemical cell system for generating electrical current using a fuel and an oxidant. The system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. A controller is configured to apply an electrical current between charging electrode(s) and a fuel electrode with the charging electrode(s) functioning as an anode and the fuel electrode functioning as a cathode, such that reducible metal fuel ions in the ionically conductive medium are reduced and electrodeposited as metal fuel in oxidizable form on the fuel electrode. The controller may selectively apply current to a charging electrode and third electrode between fuel electrodes of separate cells to increase uniformity of the metal fuel being electrodeposited on the fuel electrode. The controller controls a number of switches to apply current to the electrodes and select different modes for the system. Also provided are methods for charging and discharging an electrochemical cell system, and selecting different modes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid electrochemical cell having two (or more) sub-cells each with different cell chemistry. For example, a second electrochemical sub-cell has a metal fuel electrode with the same type of metal fuel in a first electrochemical sub-cell, but has a different battery chemistry than the first sub-cell. A controller is configured to selectively generate an electrical current from at least one sub-cell in a discharge mode and selectively apply an electrical current to at least one sub cell in a charge mode, e.g., by controlling an open or closed state of switches. The operating modes may be controlled based on input parameters.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system and a process for operating the same, the system having at least two fuel electrodes for receiving electrodeposited metal fuel; at least one oxidant electrode spaced apart from the fuel electrode; at least one charging electrode; an ionically conductive medium communicating the electrodes of the electrochemical cell system for conducting ions to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel, oxidant, and charging electrodes; and, one or more controllers configured to operate the cell system in discharging and charging modes and monitor a state of charge for each fuel electrode. The controllers may assign each fuel electrode in a discharging unit having a state-of-charge meeting a predetermined depletion criteria from the discharging unit to the charging unit, and each fuel electrode in the charging unit having a state-of-charge meeting a predetermined loading criteria from the charging unit to the discharging unit.

Abstract: The present application relates to a layer of an oxidant electrode having hygrophobic and current collecting properties, and electrochemical metal-air cell utilizing the same.

Abstract: A system and methods for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cell is disclosed. The system includes a gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell, a desiccator unit connected to each electrochemical cell and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase, a heater for selectively heating the desiccator unit, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber connected to the desiccator unit. The system may capture water vapor at the desiccator unit from a humid gas-phase exiting electrochemical cell, or release water vapor in desiccator unit, via actuation of heater, that is transported into the electrochemical cell depending on the mode of operation. The CO2 scrubber may also be used to capture water vapor, based on the mode of operation.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a permeable fuel electrode configured to support a metal fuel thereon, and an oxidant reduction electrode spaced from the fuel electrode. An ionically conductive medium is provided for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A charging electrode is also included, selected from the group consisting of (a) the oxidant reduction electrode, (b) a separate charging electrode spaced from the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, and (c) a portion of the permeable fuel electrode. The charging electrode is configured to evolve gaseous oxygen bubbles that generate a flow of the ionically conductive medium. One or more flow diverters are also provided in the electrochemical cell, and configured to direct the flow of the ionically conductive medium at least partially through the permeable fuel electrode.

Abstract: Provided is a rechargeable electrochemical cell system for generating electrical current using a fuel and an oxidant. The system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. A controller is configured to apply an electrical current between charging electrode(s) and a fuel electrode with the charging electrode(s) functioning as an anode and the fuel electrode functioning as a cathode, such that reducible metal fuel ions in the ionically conductive medium are reduced and electrodeposited as metal fuel in oxidizable form on the fuel electrode. The controller may selectively apply current to a charging electrode and third electrode between fuel electrodes of separate cells to increase uniformity of the metal fuel being electrodeposited on the fuel electrode. The controller controls a number of switches to apply current to the electrodes and select different modes for the system. Also provided are methods for charging and discharging an electrochemical cell system, and selecting different modes.

Abstract: A process for conditioning an electrochemical cell system comprising at least two electrochemical cells comprises selecting from the fuel electrodes of the electrochemical cells groups comprising: a charged group and a reset group. The process also comprises holding the fuel electrodes within the charged group at a predetermined state of charge associated with a set concentration of metal fuel ions in solution in the ionically conductive medium. The process further comprises resetting the fuel electrodes within the reset group. An electrochemical cell system includes a plurality of fuel electrodes and one or more controllers configured to regulate the concentration of reducible metal fuel ions in solution with an ionically conductive medium by maintaining a predetermined state of charge of at least one of the fuel electrodes, and initiate a charging, discharging, or resetting process on at least one other fuel electrode. Other features and embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal-air electrochemical cell with a high energy efficiency mode.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system and a process for operating the same, the system having at least two fuel electrodes for receiving electrodeposited metal fuel; at least one oxidant electrode spaced apart from the fuel electrode; at least one charging electrode; an ionically conductive medium communicating the electrodes of the electrochemical cell system for conducting ions to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel, oxidant, and charging electrodes; and, one or more controllers configured to operate the cell system in discharging and charging modes and monitor a state of charge for each fuel electrode. The controllers may assign each fuel electrode in a discharging unit having a state-of-charge meeting a predetermined depletion criteria from the discharging unit to the charging unit, and each fuel electrode in the charging unit having a state-of-charge meeting a predetermined loading criteria from the charging unit to the discharging unit.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system and a process for operating the same, the system having at least two fuel electrodes for receiving electrodeposited metal fuel; at least one oxidant electrode spaced apart from the fuel electrode; at least one charging electrode; an ionically conductive medium communicating the electrodes of the electrochemical cell system for conducting ions to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel, oxidant, and charging electrodes; and, one or more controllers configured to operate the cell system in discharging and charging modes and monitor a state of charge for each fuel electrode. The controllers may assign each fuel electrode in a discharging unit having a state-of-charge meeting a predetermined depletion criteria from the discharging unit to the charging unit, and each fuel electrode in the charging unit having a state-of-charge meeting a predetermined loading criteria from the charging unit to the discharging unit.

Abstract: A system and methods for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cell is disclosed. The system includes a gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell, a desiccator unit connected to each electrochemical cell and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase, a heater for selectively heating the desiccator unit, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber connected to the desiccator unit. The system may capture water vapor at the desiccator unit from a humid gas-phase exiting electrochemical cell, or release water vapor in desiccator unit, via actuation of heater, that is transported into the electrochemical cell depending on the mode of operation. The CO2 scrubber may also be used to capture water vapor, based on the mode of operation.