Abstract: An electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell, and method of operation, including a first gas diffusion electrode configured to generate a first gas and be in contact with and adjacent to a first gas body including the first gas, and a second gas diffusion electrode configured to generate a second gas and be in contact with and adjacent to a second gas body including the second gas. A porous capillary spacer is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second gas diffusion electrode. The porous capillary spacer is configured to be filled with a liquid electrolyte and to confine the liquid electrolyte in the porous capillary spacer by a capillary effect and whereby the liquid electrolyte has a maximum column height of more than 0.4 cm.

Abstract: An electro-synthetic water electrolysis cell, and method of operation, including a first gas diffusion electrode configured to generate a first gas and be in direct contact with a first gas body including the first gas, and a second electrode. A porous capillary spacer is configured to be filled with a liquid electrolyte and is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode. Preferably, an average pore diameter of the porous capillary spacer is more than 2 ?m (microns).

Abstract: Zero-gap electrochemical cell architectures that employ molecular-level capillary and/or diffusion and/or osmotic effects to minimize the need for macroscopic external management of the electrochemical cell. Preferably, these effects intrinsically respond to the electrochemical cell conditions, making them self-regulating. In one example is disclosed an electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell, and method of operation, including a reservoir for containing a liquid electrolyte, a first gas diffusion electrode positioned outside of the reservoir, and a second electrode positioned outside of the reservoir. A porous capillary spacer is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode, the porous capillary spacer having an end that extends into the reservoir. Preferably, the porous capillary spacer is able to fill itself with the liquid electrolyte when the end of the porous capillary spacer is in liquid contact with the liquid electrolyte in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of operating an electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell performs an electrochemical reaction. An electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell includes a reservoir containing a liquid electrolyte, a first gas diffusion electrode, and a second electrode. A porous capillary spacer is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode. The porous capillary spacer can have an end positioned within the reservoir and in liquid contact with the liquid electrolyte. The method includes contacting the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode with the liquid electrolyte, and applying or generating a voltage across the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Electrochemical cells (e.g., fuel cells or electrochemical gas extraction cells) supplied with power-to-gas mixtures of dilute hydrogen concentrations may be remarkably improved by the use of porous gas layer electrodes. The electrochemical cells may comprise a first porous gas layer gas diffusion electrode, a second porous gas layer gas diffusion electrode, and a liquid electrolyte Sin contact with the first and second electrodes. The porous gas layers may each comprise a porous, non-conductive, liquid-impermeable material that dramatically improves cell performance.