Abstract: The compact devices with built-in power can be constructed for producing disinfectants that can impart hygiene and sterilization to the device users. The disinfectants may include ozone (O3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), peroxone (H2O3), singlet oxygen (O), hydroxy radical (.OH) and hydroperoxyl radical (HO2.). In the electrolysis, the anode generates O2 and O3, whereas the cathode products, namely, either hydrogen gas (H2) or H2O2, is dependent on the cathode materials utilized. When SS304 is used as the cathode, H2 will be generated. On the other hand, H2O2 is formed on using cobalt oxide plated on carbon nanofilm coated Ti (Co3O4-CNF/Ti) as cathode. On using the latter, O3 & H2O2 can be electrocatalytically cogenerated. When H2O2 mixes with O3, H2O3 will be formed, so are .OH and HO2.. O3 and H2O2 can not only contribute O2 to help human beings' breathing, they can impart human beings good health as well.

Abstract: Oxygen from water can be efficiently and economically achieved via water electrolysis on antimony, nickel doped tin oxide (Sb,Ni—SnO2/Ti) anode using low DC power. As O2 is evolved, it will be quickly reduced by adjacent cobalt oxide doped carbon nanofilm (Co3O4—CNF/Ti) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and electricity. In the said electricity generation, O2 is first formed in O2 evolution reaction (OER), then, electricity is generated in O2 reduction reaction (ORR). Both of anode and cathode are shared by OER and ORR, yet, the former consumes energy and the latter yields electricity. It is the cathode, a load and the anode that form an electricity-forming circuit. The said circuit relies on clean water to supply the fuel, O2, hence, it is designated as all-water fuel cell (AWFC). Supercapacitor is employed as the load for AWFC, and onboard purifiers are providers of clean water for AWFC.

Abstract: Oxygen from water can be efficiently and economically achieved via water electrolysis on antimony, nickel doped tin oxide (Sb,Ni—SnO2/Ti) anode using low DC power. As O2 is evolved, it will be quickly reduced by adjacent cobalt oxide doped carbon nanofilm (Co3O4—CNF/Ti) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and electricity. In the said electricity generation, O2 is first formed in O2 evolution reaction (OER), then, electricity is generated in O2 reduction reaction (ORR). Both of anode and cathode are shared by OER and ORR, yet, the former consumes energy and the latter yields electricity. It is the cathode, a load and the anode that form an electricity-forming circuit. The said circuit relies on clean water to supply the fuel, O2, hence, it is designated as all-water fuel cell (AWFC). Supercapacitor is employed as the load for AWFC, and onboard purifiers are providers of clean water for AWFC.

Abstract: A chemical-free and no-microbe method for pre-treating a broad range of waste waters is presented. The said method involves electrocoagulation (EC) operated in synchronization with electrolytic ozone (EO3). In the combinatory method, each technique not only applies its own treatments, they also create synergistic effects from real-time reactions among the reagents generated by electrolysis. Two refractory waste waters, seawater and tannery effluent, are tested by the combinatory method, EC+EO3, to assess the viability of the said method. Without adjustment, each of the said waste waters is remedied by EC+EO3 from its raw state to a clean condition more effectively and more economically than that can be delivered by the respective prevailing processes of pretreatment for each of the said waste waters.

Abstract: Using seawater as a benchmark of water with high TDS (total dissolved solids) Raw seawater can be instantly and significantly desalted just by passing a flow through adsorber (FTA) without applying electricity to the adsorbent therein. Various precursors may be converted to dual-functional adsorbents for the FTA. A cation-adsorbing group and an anion-adsorbing group are grafted onto the surface of the adsorbents by phosphorylation and amination, respectively. Based on the applications, the adsorbent may be configured as membrane form or packed bed in the FTA. When the adsorbent becomes saturated, it can be regenerated online using liquids cleaner than the intake. Besides seawater, the FTA may be utilized for treating other TDS-infested wastewaters at very minimal cost.

Abstract: A chemical-free and no-microbe method for pre-treating a broad range of waste waters is presented. The said method involves electrocoagulation (EC) operated in synchronization with electrolytic ozone (EO3). In the combinatory method, each technique not only applies its own treatments, they also create synergistic effects from real-time reactions among the reagents generated by electrolysis. Two refractory waste waters, seawater and tannery effluent, are tested by the combinatory method, EC+EO3, to assess the viability of the said method. Without adjustment, each of the said waste waters is remedied by EC+EO3 from its raw state to a clean condition more effectively and more economically than that can be delivered by the respective prevailing processes of pretreatment for each of the said waste waters.

Abstract: Ozone is a powerful and versatile oxidant that is good for many applications including sterilization of drinking water, rejuvenation of waste waters, and chemical syntheses. Most of the man-made ozone for the said uses comes from corona discharge of oxygen gas. From the aspects of simplicity, efficiency, voltage level and space area, generation of ozone by water electrolysis has all advantages over the discharge means. It requires an catalyst deposited on the anode of electrolyzer for generating ozone gas directly in water, and the anode material should be affordable, long-lived and reliable. For the said device to become commercially viable, the scale buildup, particularly calcium carbonate, on the cathodes must also be resolved. Tests have shown that the provision of a low vacuum over the electrodes of electrolyzer can assist the device to deliver a consistent ozone throughput for a long period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bipolar element for energy storage, which facilitates the manufacturing thereof with high working voltage. The bipolar element for energy storage includes two end electrodes with a dedicated means for connecting to a potential source; at least one intervening electrode disposed between the said end electrodes wherein the said intervening electrode has no connection to a potential source; and a separator disposed after each electrode for concentrically winding the said electrodes and separators into a jelly roll; or a separator disposed between every two electrode for stacking the said electrode and separator into a prismatic form; an organic electrolyte solution is added to the said separators for storing energy with a potential applied to the said end electrodes by the said power supply, wherein the bipolar element is partially sealed.

Abstract: An ozone generator for in-situ sterilization of water, which may be pocket-sized, is disclosed. The ozone generator includes a power source, at least a supercapacitor, a switching circuitry and at least a pair of electrodes. The power source is adapted for providing a reaction energy to generate ozone gas within the water to be treated. The supercapacitor is adapted for amplifying the reaction energy provided by the power source. The circuitry is adapted for controlling the supercapacitor to deliver consistent power supply to generate ozone. The electrodes are adapted for receiving the amplified reaction energy from the supercapacitor to generate ozone within the water to be treated.

Abstract: A plurality of supercapacitor elements is arranged in rows and columns within a single housing. The elements have no physical connection until they are configured into series, parallel or combinatory matrix by a configuration circuit composing of switches, a driver and a controller. Under the manipulation of the configuration circuit, the elements can be assembled in a broad voltage range to deliver the desired powers to automobiles, heavy machineries, power tools, appliances, or consumer electronics in real-time responses. When the loads present energy for recovery, the elements can also be immediately grouped in the voltage and capacity ranges corresponding to the power levels of the energy to be harvested. Using the present invention, the efficiency of DC and AC energy utilization can be significantly improved.

Abstract: Capacitive deionization (CDI) is a non-membrane and chemical-free technique for water purification, used-water recycling, and seawater desalination. Ionic contaminants in the waters are retained by a static electric field built within the critical component of CDI, which is known as flow through capacitor (FTC). Apparently, parameters enhancing the field strength of FTC and electrode efficiency are the keys to the performance of CDI. The FTC of the present invention is formed by a plurality of monopolar and a plurality of bipolar electrodes, and a plural number of perforated holes are disposed on the FTC electrodes in a pattern that allows certain water flow rate and residence time to yield the highest efficiency of electrode utilization.

Abstract: A capacitive deionization (CDI) system for deionizing water is disclosed. The CDI system comprises at least a flow through capacitor (FTC) module, at least a first supercapacitor, at least a second supercapacitor, at least a third supercapacitor and a controller. The FTC module comprises a plurality electrodes for removing ions from water flowing between the electrodes under an electric field applied between the electrodes. The first supercapacitor is connected between the potential source and the FTC module for amplifying energy provided by the potential source. The second supercapacitor is connected to the FTC module for receiving energy from the FTC module for regenerating the electrodes of the FTC module. The third supercapacitor is adapted for exchanging energy with the FTC module for regenerating the electrodes of the FTC module. The controller is adapted for regulating deionization rate of the water and regeneration of the electrodes of the FTC module.

Abstract: A pocket-size ozone generator for in-situ sterilization of water is disclosed. The pocket-size ozone generator comprises a power source, at least a supercapacitor, a switching circuit and at least a pair of electrodes. The power source is adapted for providing a reaction energy to generate ozone gas within the water to be treated. The supercapacitor is adapted for amplifying the reaction energy provided by the power source. The circuitry is adapted for controlling the supercapacitor to deliver consistent power supply to generate ozone. The electrodes are adapted for receiving the amplified reaction energy from the supercapacitor to generate ozone within the water to be treated.

Abstract: An energy-reclamation apparatus of the present invention including at least a supercapacitor element connected with a charging source and a controlled circuit. After the supercapacitor element is charged to the potential of the charging source, the supercapacitor element and the charging source will work in series to conduct a repetitive polarity reversal of the supercapacitor element through a controlled circuit. As the supercapacitor element discharges, it is reversely charged concurrently. In other words, while the voltage of the supercapacitor element is decreasing on the side, a negative potential is complementarily developing on the other side. By repeatedly reversing the polarity of the supercapacitor element, more energy from the serially connected charging source can be reclaimed and reused.

Abstract: All pollutants dissolved or existed in water can be grossly classified as ionized and neutral species. The former includes inorganic and organic ions, while the latter contains inorganic molecules, organic molecules and organisms. Using flow through capacitor for performing capacitive deionization (CDI), the ionic contaminants can be effectively and economically removed from water. Whereas the neutral contaminants are not retained in the static electric field of CDI, they can be decomposed upon flowing through an electrolytic ozonator. Either gaseous or ionic products will be generated at the ozone treatment, and the ionic byproducts can be subsequently removed by CDI. By integrating the electrolytic ozone reactor with flow through capacitor, the O3/CDI hybrid technique becomes a total solution for eliminating hazardous materials in water.

Abstract: A plurality of supercapacitor elements is arranged in rows and columns within a single housing. The elements have no physical connection until they are configured into series, parallel or combinatory matrix by a configuration circuit composing of switches, an driver and a controller. Under the manipulation of the configuration circuit, the elements can be assembled in a broad voltage range to deliver the desired powers to automobiles, heavy machineries, power tools, appliances, or consumer electronics in real-time responses. When the loads present energy for recovery, the elements can also be immediately grouped in the voltage and capacity ranges corresponding to the power levels of the energy to be harvested. Using the present invention, the efficiency of DC and AC energy utilization can be significantly improved.

Abstract: An integrated battery by incorporating battery elements, supercapscitors elements, and miniaturized electronic controllers within a single housing is devised. The supercapacitors provide a load leveling for the battery elements at both charging and discharging. So long as the rated working voltage of supercapacitor is complied, the capacitor can be charged with charging currents of any magnitude. Then, the energy stored in the supercapacitors can be transferred from the capacitors to the batteries resulted in fast charging and energy conservation. With load leveling provided by the supercapacitors, the batteries are set to constantly discharge at 1C or lower rates and their residual energy near the end of discharge cycle can become useful as well. Therefore, the service run time, cycle life, and energy utilization of the batteries integrated are improved.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus and a power supply method are described, wherein the non-polar characteristics of the electrodes of a capacitor is utilized to improve the energy utilization efficiency of a battery through reciprocating switches of polarity connection between the battery and the capacitor. The voltages of the capacitors can also stay at a near constant level using the polarity reversal mechanism.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus and a power supply method are described, wherein the non-polar characteristics of the electrodes of a capacitor is utilized to improve the energy utilization efficiency of a battery through reciprocating switches of polarity connection between the battery and the capacitor. The voltages of the capacitors can also stay at a near constant level using the polarity reversal mechanism.

Abstract: A fully automatic deionizer comprising five sub-systems for removing ionic contaminants from various liquids at low energy consumption is devised. Based on the charging-discharging principle of capacitors, the deionizer conducts deionization through applying a low DC voltage to its electrodes for adsorbing ions, while more than 30% of the process energy is recovered and stored by discharging the electrodes. At the mean time of discharge, surface of the electrodes is regenerated on site and reset for performing many more cycles of deionization-regeneration till the desirable purification is attained. In one moment, both deionization and regeneration proceed simultaneously on different groups of electrode modules, and in the next moment the electrode modules quickly switch the two processes. Such swift reciprocating actions are engaged in synchronized coordination of sub-systems of electrode modules, energy management, fluid flow, and automatic control.