Abstract: A light-driven electrolytic cell that uses water vapor as the feedstock and that has no wires or connections whatsoever to an external electrical power source of any kind. In one embodiment, the electrolytic cell uses a proton exchange membrane (PEM) with an IrRuOx water oxidation catalyst and a Pt black water reduction catalyst to consume water vapor and generate molecular oxygen and a chemical fuel, molecular hydrogen. The operation of the electrolytic cell using water vapor supplied by a humidified carrier gas has been demonstrated under varying conditions of the gas flow rate, the relative humidity, and the presence or absence of oxygen. The performance of the system with water vapor was also compared to the performance when the device was immersed in liquid water.

Abstract: Electrolyzed water producing method and apparatus are provided which are capable of producing electrolyzed water having a desired property irrespective of the quality of raw water supplied and the like while allowing the size and weight of the apparatus and the cost to be reduced by limiting the capacity of an electrolysis power source. The electrolyzed water producing method includes: circulating an aqueous electrolyte solution to a first electrolytic chamber of a pair of electrolytic chambers opposed to each other across an intervening ion permeable diaphragm while supplying raw water to the second electrolytic chamber; and applying a predetermined voltage to a pair of electrodes disposed in the respective electrolytic chambers with the diaphragm intervening there between, to electrolyze the raw water and the aqueous electrolyte solution, thereby producing electrolyzed water in the second electrolytic chamber.

Abstract: There is provided a membrane electrode assembly and an organic hydride manufacturing device capable of obtaining higher energy efficiency even if manufacturing organic hydride in one step with a single device. A membrane electrode assembly in which a cathode catalyst layer and an anode catalyst layer are placed to sandwich a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the cathode catalyst layer includes catalytic metal which causes hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons to organic hydrides, and a carrier of the catalytic metal, and the carrier provides on its surface a functional group which decreases wettability of the unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing reducing water that maintains a neutral range of pH and exhibits superior reducing force. The apparatus for producing reducing water includes an electrolytic bath including a cathode chamber provided with a cathode, an anode chamber provided with an anode, and an intermediate chamber interposed between the cathode chamber and the anode chamber, wherein the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber are provided with an inlet through which water is supplied, and an outlet through which water is discharged, a cation exchange membrane is provided between the cathode chamber and the intermediate chamber, and the intermediate chamber includes a cation exchange resin that dissociates hydrogen ions when the cation exchange resin reacts with water.

Abstract: Provided are a gas decomposition component in which an electrochemical reaction is used to reduce the running cost and high treatment performance can be achieved; and a method for producing the gas decomposition component. The gas decomposition component includes a cylindrical MEA 7 including an anode 2 on an inner-surface side, a cathode 5 on an outer-surface side, and a solid electrolyte 1 sandwiched between the anode and the cathode; a porous metal body 11s that is inserted on the inner-surface side of the cylindrical MEA and is in contact with the first electrode; and a central conductive rod 11k inserted so as to serve as an electrically conductive shaft of the porous metal body 11s.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a portable hydrogen-rich water generator that includes a separable drinking cup, an electrolytic cell which includes an anode, a cathode, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, etc. and is disposed at the bottom of the drinking cup, a reservoir base on which the drinking cup is mounted and in which an anode reaction of the electrolytic cell is generated, a float valve which allows water to be continuously supplied at a certain water level from a water tank, and a power supply to apply direct current power to the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A device for high temperature electrolysis of water, including: at least one elementary electrolysis cell including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte intermediate between the cathode and the anode; a first device forming an electrical and fluid interconnector including a metallic part delimited by at least one plane, the metallic part including an internal chamber and plural holes distributed on the surface, approximately perpendicular to the plane and opening up on the plane and in the chamber, the plane of the first interconnector being in mechanical contact with a plane of the cathode. The device can achieve a uniform current density in each electrolysis cell and can increase steam usage ratio in each electrolysis cell.

Abstract: An apparatus (12) for applying a zinc or zinc-alloy electroplate to a workpiece comprises an electroplating bath (16) having a pH more than about 14. The electroplating bath includes zinc ions and an additive. A cathode workpiece (18) is in the bath. An anode assembly (20) contacts the bath. The anode assembly includes an anolyte and an insoluble metal anode in the anolyte. The additive is capable of electrolytically breaking down upon contact with the anode. The anode assembly inhibits the electrolytic breakdown of the additive.

Abstract: In order to reduce the number of structural components, the size and the cost of an electrolyzed water producing apparatus, an electrolyzed water producing apparatus is equipped with a system in which the start and stop of the operation of an electrolyzer cell in the apparatus is controlled in accordance with the open/close operation of a water feed valve interposed in a raw water feed conduit for feeding raw water to the electrolyzer cell.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a membrane-electrode assembly, an electrolytic cell using the same, a method and an apparatus for producing ozone water, a method for disinfection and a method for wastewater or waste fluid treatment, by using which allow electrolysis reaction products or decomposition products to be produced at a high efficiency, channel pressure drop to be minimized, and the apparatus to be designed compact in size without sacrificing the production capacity. This invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly, comprising an anode having a plurality of through-holes of 0.1 mm or more in diameter; a cathode having a plurality of through-holes of 0.1 mm or more in diameter at the same sites as in the anode; and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane coated on one face or the entire face of at least one of the anode and the cathode with the through-holes being maintained, wherein the anode, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the cathode are tightly adhered.

Abstract: A low-voltage, low-energy electrochemical system and method of removing protons and/or producing a base solution comprising hydroxide and carbonate/bicarbonate ions, utilizing carbon dioxide in a cathode compartment that is partitioned into a first cathode electrolyte compartment and a second cathode electrolyte compartment such that liquid flow between the cathode electrolyte compartments is possible, but wherein gaseous communication between the cathode electrolyte compartments is restricted. Carbon dioxide gas in one cathode electrolyte compartment is utilized with the cathode electrolyte in both compartments to produce the base solution with less that 3V applied across the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrolyzer cell is disclosed which includes a cathode to reduce an oxygen-containing molecule, such as H2O, CO2, or a combination thereof, to produce an oxygen ion and a fuel molecule, such as H2, CO, or a combination thereof. An electrolyte is coupled to the cathode to transport the oxygen ion to an anode. The anode is coupled to the electrolyte to receive the oxygen ion and produce oxygen gas therewith. In one embodiment, the anode may be fabricated to include an electron-conducting phase having a perovskite crystalline structure or structure similar thereto. This perovskite may have a chemical formula of substantially (Pr(1-x)Lax)(z-y)A?yBO(3-?), wherein 0<x<1, 0?y?0.5, and 0.8?z?1.1. In another embodiment, the cathode includes an electron-conducting phase that contains nickel oxide intermixed with magnesium oxide.

Abstract: The electrolytic cell of the preferred embodiment includes an electrode pair and a cavitating jet. The electrode pair includes a cathode electrode and an anode electrode and defines an electrical path between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The cavitating jet, which is located along the electrical path between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, functions to cavitate a fluid, such as water. The electrode pair and the cavitating jet cooperate to initiate a plasma state in the water. The water in the plasma state acts a virtual electrode with a higher current density than the cathode electrode and/or anode electrode. The plasma virtual electrode, through thermolysis and/or electrolysis, produces hydrogen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of an electrochemically activated liquid. The ORP is reduced by emitting ions from an ion generator into the electrochemically activated liquid, wherein the ions have a charge polarity that is opposite to the ORP of the liquid.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for producing primary aluminum by using inert anodes is disclosed, in which an electrolyte system KF—NaF—AlF3 is used and the operating temperature of the cell is 700-850° C. The electrolytic cell comprises a cell shell, heat insulating refractory lining, a melting pot, a heat insulating cover, inert electrodes, electrode stems, anode bus-bars, cathode bus-bars, anode branching bus-bars, heat insulating plates, partitions between anodes and cathodes and a feeding device. The quality of the aluminum product obtained by using the electrolytic cell is not less than 99.7%. The cell is free from emission of carbon dioxide and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and hardly has consumption of electrodes, so the distances between anodes and cathodes can be kept stable. The cell is sealed and the volatilization of dust and fluorides can be prevented, and it is useful to recover oxygen gas.

Abstract: An electrolytic method for extracting components from subsurface strata including providing a carrier fluid; providing a pair of electrodes within a container, the container having a first outlet located proximal to a first electrode of the pair of electrodes and a second outlet located proximal to a second electrode of the pair of electrodes; flowing the carrier fluid through the container; applying a potential to the pair of electrodes to produce a first ionized carrier fluid and a second ionized carrier fluid in the container; removing the first ionized carrier fluid from the container through their respective outlets; injecting one of the first ionized carrier fluid and the second ionized carrier fluid into the subsurface strata to release the components; and recovering one of the first ionized carrier fluid and second ionized carrier fluid and components from the subsurface strata.

Abstract: A hearing aid dehumidifier and disinfectant chamber. The chamber comprises an enclosure, including a vapor permeable wall, adapted to removably enclose a hearing aid. In vapor transmitting relationship with the vapor permeable wall is an electrochemical ozone generator, which is designed to draw water vapor from inside the enclosure and electrolyze it into at least ozone, which is discharged into the enclosure. Drawing the water vapor from the enclosure dries the hearing aid. The electrochemical action ceases when all water vapor is removed. Bathing the hearing aid in ozone for at least until the ozone decomposes, sterilizes the hearing aid, inside and out.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical apparatus for processing a fluid comprising: an electrode; a solid electrolyte; and means for providing forced flow through the apparatus of a fluid to be processed, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that when the fluid to be processed is introduced into the apparatus there exists at least one three phase interface between the electrode, the solid electrolyte and the fluid to be processed and such that the fluid forming part of the three phase interface undergoes forced flow through the apparatus, and methods in which the electrochemical apparatus is used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole block polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode units or so-called PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention is an electrolyte membrane comprising an acid and a basic polymer, where the acid is a low-volatile acid that is fluorinated and is either oligomeric or non-polymeric, and where the basic polymer is protonated by the acid and is stable to hydrolysis.

Abstract: In a method for producing metal powder, the first part of an acid-containing starting solution is fed on the anode side of an electrolytic cell as anolyte, to contact the anode and supply material containing yield metal, and a second part of the acid-containing starting solution, which also contains intermediary metal, is fed on the cathode side of the electrolytic cell, to contact the cathode as catholyte. Yield metal is oxidized and dissolved in the anolyte by leading electric current in the anode. The yield metal contained in the second part of the starting solution is reduced on the cathode side. Anolyte solution and catholyte solution are fed to a precipitating chamber for mixing the dissolved, oxidized yield metal and the second part of the starting solution containing reduced intermediary metal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating aqueous solution of alkali aluminate into alkali hydroxide and aluminate hydroxide are disclosed. These methods are enabled by the use of alkali ion conductive membranes in electrolytic cells that are chemically stable and alkali ion selective. The alkali ion conductive membrane includes a chemically stable ionic-selective cation membrane.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to electrochemical systems, e.g., a combination of an electrical energy source and an electrical energy storage system having a regenerative fuel cell system, that exhibit operational stability in harsh environments, e.g., both charging and discharging reactions in a regenerative fuel cell in the presence of an acid or a mixture of acids, or a halogen ion or a mixture of halogen ions. The electrochemical systems are capable of conducting both hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) and hydrogen oxidation reactions (HORs) in the same system. The electrochemical systems have low cost, fast response time, and acceptable life and performance. This disclosure also relates to methods of operating the electrochemical systems containing a regenerative fuel cell system.

Abstract: Provided is a high efficiency electrode separation type water softening apparatus which softens a common water with a hard water characteristic in such a way to separate and remove a positive ion component using an ion exchange membrane, and converts most of a common water into a soft water in such a way to have a positive ion component be absorbed by a small amount of water flowing via the interior of an ion exchange membrane while extending a lot an exchange period of an ion exchange membrane, so it can be used for a long time.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus is disclosed. The hydrogen generating apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first hydrogen generating unit, which has a first electrode generating hydrogen by decomposing an electrolyte aqueous solution; a second hydrogen generating unit, which has a second electrode that is placed adjacent to the first hydrogen generating unit and surface thereof is formed with a super absorbent polymer that is gelled when water is absorbed; a solution separation membrane interposed between the first hydrogen generating unit and the second hydrogen generating unit; a reactor accommodating the first hydrogen generating unit, the second hydrogen generating unit and the solution separation membrane; and a hydrogen vent being formed on one side of the reactor, which is adjacent to the second hydrogen generating unit.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to the area of electrochemical processing of liquids and production of gases, and is used for anolyte and catholyte synthesis. The electrolytic cell comprises an assembled anode and a diaphragm. Elements of the anode and the diaphragm are assembled in axial alignment with help of sleeves, and free ends of the anode and the diaphragm are fixed in a coaxial manner with solid of electrolyte input and output covers. The cathode is made solid from a single pipe with current terminals on each side. The cathode is the internal electrode of the electrolytic cell, while the anode is the external one. The anode is may be provided with a visual indicator as a positive electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive diamond electrode, comprising a substrate having a plurality of convex and concave part disposed over the entire surface of the conductive diamond electrode, and a diamond film coated on the surface of said substrate, wherein the width of each convex part of said convex and concave part is in a range from 0.2 mm to 1 mm. The present invention can provide a conductive diamond electrode, applying a thin film of conductive diamond and a thick substrate, being less expensive than a self-supported type conductive diamond electrode and also having mechanical strength enough to be used in the zero-gap electrolysis, functioning stably for a long time with smooth water supply or gas liberation, and an ozone generator using the conductive diamond electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system comprising a heat source to provide heat at the desired temperature and energy field (e.g. a solar concentrator); an electron source configured and operable to emit electrons; an electric field generator generating an electric field adapted to supply energy sufficient to dissociate gas molecules; and a reaction gas chamber configured and operable to cause interaction between the electrons with the molecules, such that the electrons dissociate the molecules to product compound and ions via dissociative electrons attachment (DEA) within the chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning solution generator comprising a housing with an interior reservoir and a brine tank, the cleaning solution generator being configured to generate an alkaline solution from a mixed solution and to operably direct the generated alkaline solution to the interior reservoir of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating a layer of metal onto a work piece surface includes a membrane separating the chamber of the apparatus into a catholyte chamber and an anolyte chamber. In the catholyte chamber is a catholyte manifold region that includes a catholyte manifold and at least one flow distribution tube. The catholyte manifold and at least one flow distribution tube serve to mix and direct catholyte flow in the catholyte chamber. The provided configuration effectively reduces failure and improves the operational ranges of the apparatus.

Abstract: Electrochemical apparatus and processes for the point-of-use production of cleansing, sanitizing, and antimicrobial agents, such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or hypochlorous acid (HOCl). The processes may be used to produce NaOCl from seawater, low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. HOCl may be produced from HCl solutions and water. NaOCl is produced using a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane, such as membranes based on NASICON-type materials, in an electrolytic cell. HOCl is produced using an anion conductive membrane in an electrolytic cell. The cleansing, sanitizing, and antimicrobial agent may be generated on demand and used in household, industrial, and water treatment applications.

Abstract: A device for in-situ production of caustic and increasing alkalinity of a detergent and methods for increasing alkalinity of a detergent are disclosed. In particular, in situ electrochemical conversion of bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate or carbonate sources into caustic provides a safe means for increasing alkalinity of a detergent for a variety of cleaning applications. The invention further discloses methods for cleaning using the electrochemically enhanced detergent according to the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for recharging a fuel cell cartridge and methods for recharging a fuel cell cartridge are disclosed. An example recharging apparatus may include a housing having a fuel cell cartridge holder. A water reservoir may be disposed in the housing and may have water disposed therein. The recharging apparatus may also include an electrolysis chamber for converting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolysis chamber may be in fluid communication with the water reservoir. The electrolysis chamber may include a hydrogen passage for passing hydrogen from the electrolysis chamber to the fuel cell cartridge holder. The recharging apparatus may further include a vacuum pump at least selectively in fluid communication with the fuel cell cartridge holder. In some instances, the vacuum pump may be used to evacuate residual hydrogen and/or other gases or materials from the fuel cell cartridge and/or determine if the fuel cell cartridge is leaky and requires replacement.

Abstract: An electrolysis device for preparation of hypochlorous water is provided, comprising an electrolytic cell, and cathodic and anodic electrolytic sheets arranged in the electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic cell is separated to form an inner tank for containing hydrochloric acid and an outer tank for circulating tap water, a central portion of the inner tank is sealed and separated relative to the outer tank, and a chlorine discharge outlet connected to the outer tank is provided at the upper end of the inner tank; the cathodic and anodic electrolytic sheets are located on both sides of the inner tank. The electrolysis device without a membrane utilizes tap water and hydrochloric acid as raw materials, having an inner tank for containing hydrochloric acid and an outer tank for circulating tap water. Chlorine generated through electrolysis of hydrochloric acid is discharged from the chlorine discharge outlet and combined with tap water in the outer tank to generate hypochlorous acid.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrolyzing sulfuric acid, the apparatus comprising an electrolytic cell comprising a cathode chamber having a cathode and an anode chamber having an anode, the cathode chamber and the anode chamber being separated by a diaphragm, a sulfuric acid tank configured to store the sulfuric acid, a supply pipe connecting the sulfuric acid tank to an inlet port of the anode chamber, a connection pipe connecting an outlet port of the cathode chamber to the inlet port of the anode chamber, a first supply pump provided on the supply pipe and configured to supply the sulfuric acid from the sulfuric acid tank to the cathode chamber through the supply pipe, and a drain pipe connected to an outlet port of the anode chamber and configured to supply to a solution tank a solution containing an oxidizing agent generated by electrolysis in the anode chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing more uniform deposition across one or more faces of a workpiece in an electroplating process. The apparatus employs eductors in conjunction with a flow dampener member and other measures to provide a more uniform current distribution and a more uniform metal deposit distribution as reflected in a coefficient of variability that is lower than conventional processes.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for causing a reaction that produces hydrogen, the electrochemical cell comprising: a first electrode comprising: at least one layered electrocatalyst formed of at least one active metal layer deposited on a carbon support, wherein the at least one active metal layer is active to a target species; a second electrode comprising a conductor; a basic electrolyte; ammonia, ethanol, or combinations thereof; and electrical current in communication with the first electrode.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to conducting materials such as mixed ionically and electrically conducting materials. A variety of materials, material compositions, materials with advantageous ratios of ionically and electrically conducting components, structures including such materials, and the like are provided in accordance with the invention. In one aspect, the invention relates to conducting ceramics for electrochemical systems and, in particular, to mixed ionically and electrically conducting ceramics which can be used, for example, for electrochemical systems and, in particular, to mixed ionically and electrically conducting ceramics which can be used, for example, for hydrogen gas generation from a gasified hydrocarbon stream. One aspect of the invention provides a material comprising a first phase comprising a ceramic ionic conductor, and a second phase comprising a ceramic electrical conductor.

Abstract: An electric current is passed through an acidic solution containing one or more soluble metal salts in an electrolytic cell divided by an anion exchange membrane. The acidic solution is fed into the cathode compartment whereby the passage of electric current at sufficient voltage causes the generation of hydrogen at the cathode. This gives rise to a localized very highly polarized region at the cathode resulting in a localized effective high relative pH. This causes the metal cation species to precipitate as a hydroxide (or oxide) species and electroadsorption/electrocoagulation causes the finely precipitated hydroxide (or oxide) species to adhere to the cathode. Electrodialytic transport of the liberated acid anions across the anion exchange membrane selectively removes the acid anions. Oxygen and hydrogen ions are formed by hydrolysis as the counter-reaction at the anode. Hydrogen ions combine with the anions to regenerate sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes are disclosed for electrowinning metal from a fluid stream. A representative apparatus comprises at least one spouted bed reactor wherein each said reactor includes an anolyte chamber comprising an anode and configured for containing an anolyte, a catholyte chamber comprising a current collector and configured for containing a particulate cathode bed and a flowing stream of an electrically conductive metal-containing fluid, and a membrane separating said anolyte chamber and said catholyte chamber, an inlet for an electrically conductive metal-containing fluid stream; and a particle bed churning device configured for spouting particle bed particles in the catholyte chamber independently of the flow of said metal-containing fluid stream. In operation, reduced heavy metals or their oxides are recovered from the cathode particles.

Abstract: In order to solve various problems such as a reduction in a paint resin with the progress of electrodeposition coating treatment and remelting of a coating film or the occurrence of pinholes caused by an increased concentration of an electrolyte as a result of the reduction, upsizing of a hollow electrode with a membrane for electrodeposition coating combined with a barrier membrane (e.g., an ion exchange membrane) and an increase in the number of components should be avoided. In order to realize this, a barrier membrane 20 such as an ion exchange membrane is attached to the exterior surface of an electrode main body 10, which is in a hollow state made of a conductive material and configured so as to allow a liquid to pass through freely between the inside and outside of the electrode serving as a support.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell includes at least one free-standing diamond electrode and a second electrode, which may also be a free-standing diamond, separated by a membrane. The electrolytic cell is capable of conducting sustained current flows at current densities of at least about 1 ampere per square centimeter. A method of operating an electrolytic cell having two diamond electrodes includes alternately reversing the polarity of the voltage across the electrodes.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode or the outer face of the anode. The porous pad comprises a particulate or mat of one or more doped- or reduced-valve metal oxides, which are bound together with one or more thermoplastic resins.

Abstract: An electrical purification apparatus and methods of making same are disclosed. The electrical purification apparatus may provide for increases in operation efficiencies, for example, with respect to current efficiencies and membrane utilization.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell is controlled for operation under varying electrical power supply conditions. A flow of feed stock to the cell includes an electrolysis reactant at a controlled concentration. A varying amount of electrical power is supplied to the cell to produce an electrolysis reaction that generates a first reaction product at a first side of the cell and a second reaction product at a second side of the cell. The reactant concentration is adjusted as the electrical power varies to substantially maintain the cell at its thermal neutral voltage during cell operation. The cell may be used in an electrolysis system powered by a renewable energy source with varying power output (e.g., wind, solar, etc.).

Abstract: The present electrolytic system and method for extracting components includes a means for providing a carrier fluid; a means for providing a pair of electrodes interposed by a permeable membrane to create a first channel and a second channel; a means for flowing the carrier fluid through the first and second channel; a means for applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes to produce a first ionized carrier fluid in the first channel and a second ionized carrier fluid in the second channel; a means for injecting at least one of the first ionized carrier fluid and the second ionized carrier fluid into the subsurface reservoir to release the components; and a means for recovering the at least one of the first ionized carrier fluid and the second ionized carrier fluid and the components from a subsurface strata or ex-situ mineral deposit.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a cation-conductive ceramic membrane and an acidic anolyte. Generally, the cell includes an anolyte compartment and a catholyte compartment that are separated by a cation-conductive membrane. A diffusion barrier is disposed in the anolyte compartment between the membrane and an anode. In some cases, a catholyte is channeled into a space between the barrier and the membrane. In other cases, a chemical that maintains an acceptably high pH adjacent the membrane is channeled between the barrier and the membrane. In still other cases, some of the catholyte is channeled between the barrier and the membrane while another portion of the catholyte is channeled between the barrier and the anode. In each case, the barrier and the chemicals channeled between the barrier and the membrane help maintain the pH of the liquid contacting the anolyte side of the membrane at an acceptably high level.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell (1) includes: an optical semiconductor electrode (first electrode) (3) including a conductive substrate (3a) and an n-type semiconductor layer (3b) as an optical semiconductor layer disposed on the conductive substrate (3a); a counter electrode (second electrode) (4) disposed to face the surface of the optical semiconductor electrode (3) on the conductive substrate (3a) side and connected electrically to the conductive substrate (3a); an electrolyte solution (11) containing water and disposed in contact with the surface of the n-type semiconductor layer (3b) and the surface of the counter electrode (4); a container (2) in which the optical semiconductor electrode (3), the counter electrode (4), and the electrolyte solution (11) are disposed; an inlet (5) for supplying water into the container; and an ion passing portion (12) that allows ions to move between the electrolyte solution in a region A on the surface side of the n-type semiconductor layer (3b) and the electrolyte solution

Abstract: A scaffold holding one or more ion-conductive ceramic membranes for use in an electrochemical cell is described. Generally, the scaffold includes a thermoplastic plate defining one or more orifices. Each orifice is typically defined by a first, second, and third aperture, wherein the second aperture is disposed between the first and third apertures. The diameter of the second aperture can be larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures. While at an operating temperature the diameter of the ceramic membrane is larger than the diameters of the first and third apertures, heating the scaffold to a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time causes the third aperture's diameter to become larger than the membrane's diameter. Thus, heating the scaffold may allow the membrane to be inserted into the orifice. Cooling the scaffold can then cause the third aperture's diameter to shrink and trap the membrane within the orifice.

Abstract: A high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus includes a plurality of unit cells each having an anode separator, a cathode separator, and a membrane electrode assembly which is sandwiched between the anode separator and the cathode separator. The membrane electrode assembly includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and an anode current collector and a cathode current collector which are disposed respectively on opposite sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. An electrically-conductive member is interposed between the cathode separator and disc springs and between a plate member and the cathode current collector so as to integrally extend from a region between the cathode separator and the disc springs to a region between the plate member and the cathode current collector. The electrically-conductive member includes an electrically-conductive path which electrically connects the cathode separator with the cathode current collector.