Abstract: The present invention provides a method of deionization of a liquid including passing feedwater to be deionized through a deionization fuel cell system, which includes a deionization fuel cell (DFC), containing, inter alia, a cation exchange membrane and an anion exchange membrane and discharging the DFC to produce electricity and deionized liquid, wherein the method does not include a step of charging the fuel cell prior to or following the discharge step. Further provided are deionization fuel cell systems comprising a DFC comprising two or more membranes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for selective separation of ionic species from an ionic solution based on said species' ionic hydrated size, the method comprising, inter alia, passing an ionic solution comprising ions having distinct hydrated sizes, through an electrode capacitor assembly comprising at least one carbon-based electrode which is modified with negatively or positively charged surface groups. Further provided is a method for selective separation of ionic species from an ionic solution comprising passing the ionic solution comprising a first positively charged ion and a second positively charged in through an electrode capacitor assembly, wherein the first modified electrode comprises carbon modified with sulfonate surface groups.

Abstract: An intermittently-flowable electrode comprising conductive particles and a liquid fluidizing medium in which said conductive particles are suspended, wherein the electrode alternately performs as a flowable electrode and as a self-assembled electrode. Further disclosed are electrochemical devices comprising said intermittently flowable electrode and energy storage, energy harvesting and water desalination systems comprising said devices. Further provided is a method of operating the intermittently-flowable electrode and the electrochemical devices.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode including conductive particles, which sediment under gravitational force and a liquid fluidizing medium flowing through the electrode, in which the conductive particles are suspended and optionally further including conductive particles, which do not sediment under gravitational force when the fluidizing medium flows in the electrode. Further provided are electrochemical devices and energy storage systems including the electrode.

Abstract: The invention discloses general apparatus and methods for electrochemical energy conversion and storage via a membraneless laminar flow battery. In a preferred embodiment, the battery includes a flow-through porous anode for receiving a fuel and a porous electrolyte channel for transporting an electrolyte adjacent to the porous anode; a flow-through porous cathode is provided for transporting an oxidant; and a porous dispersion blocker is disposed between the electrolyte channel and the porous cathode, which inhibits convective mixing while allowing molecular diffusion and mean flow. Pore structure properties are selected for tuning convective dispersion, conductivity or other macroscopic properties. Specific materials, reactants, fabrication methods, and operation methods are disclosed to achieve stable charge/discharge cycles and to optimize power density and energy density.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode including conductive particles, which sediment under gravitational force and a liquid fluidizing medium flowing through the electrode, in which the conductive particles are suspended and optionally further including conductive particles, which do not sediment under gravitational force when the fluidizing medium flows in the electrode. Further provided are electrochemical devices and energy storage systems including the electrode.

Abstract: The invention discloses general apparatus and methods for electrochemical energy conversion and storage via a membraneless laminar flow battery. In a preferred embodiment, the battery includes a flow-through porous anode for receiving a fuel and a porous electrolyte channel for transporting an electrolyte adjacent to the porous anode; a flow-through porous cathode is provided for transporting an oxidant; and a porous dispersion blocker is disposed between the electrolyte channel and the porous cathode, which inhibits convective mixing while allowing molecular diffusion and mean flow. Pore structure properties are selected for tuning convective dispersion, conductivity or other macroscopic properties. Specific materials, reactants, fabrication methods, and operation methods are disclosed to achieve stable charge/discharge cycles and to optimize power density and energy density.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting energy from fresh water and salt water, including a first porous electrode having first pores, a second porous electrode having second pores, a non-conducting permeable separator between the first porous electrode and the second porous electrode, a system for applying an electric potential difference between the first porous electrode, and the second porous electrode, and a system for flowing the fresh water and the salt water through the first porous electrode having first pores, through the non-conducting permeable separator, and through the second porous electrode having second pores thereby harvesting energy from the fresh water and the salt water.