Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of a metal nanoparticle which comprises at least one semiconductor attached to it, wherein the at least one semiconductor is an atomic quantum cluster (AQC) consisting of between 2 and 55 zero-valent transition metal atoms, as photocatalysts in photocatalytic processes and applications thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalytic electrode for converting molecules, the electrode comprising a predetermined number of single catalytic sites supported on a substrate. Also provided is a method for oxidizing water comprising contacting the water with size selected catalyst clusters. The invention also provides a method for reducing an oxidized moiety, the method comprising contacting the moiety with size selected catalyst clusters at a predetermined voltage potential.

Abstract: An electrode for solar conversion including a porous structure configured to contain therein at least one of an electrolyte, a catalyst, a chromophore, a redox couple, a hole-conducting polymer, an electron-conducting polymer, a semiconducting organic conjugated polymer, an electron acceptor, and a hole acceptor. The porous structure has a set of electrically conductive nanoparticles adjoining each other. The set of electrically conductive nanoparticles forms a meandering electrical path connecting the nanoparticles together. The porous structure has a semiconductive coating disposed conformally on the electrically conductive nanoparticles to form an exterior surface for reception of charge carriers.

Abstract: An electrode for solar conversion including a porous structure configured to contain therein at least one of a catalyst, a chromophore, and a redox couple. The porous structure has a set of electrically conductive nanoparticles adjoining each other. The set of electrically conductive nanoparticles forms a meandering electrical path connecting the nanoparticles together. The porous structure has an atomic layer by layer deposited semiconductive coating disposed conformally on the electrically conductive nanoparticles to form an exterior surface for reception of charge carriers.

Abstract: An alkaline production system comprising an electrochemical unit comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode, a cathode compartment comprising a cathode and a hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode, wherein the system configured to sequester carbon dioxide with the cathode electrolyte; and methods thereof. In another embodiment, a system comprising a hydrogen-oxidizing anode in communication with a cathode electrolyte comprising bicarbonate ion; and an hydrogen delivery system configured to deliver hydrogen gas to the anode; and methods thereof.

Abstract: Compositions, devices, kits and methods are disclosed for assaying glucose with a glucose oxidase mutant that has been modified at an amino acid residue involved in the active site. The glucose oxidase mutant has reduced oxidase activity while substantially maintaining its dehydrogenase activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating components of a multilayer stack of electronic components are disclosed herein. The multilayer stack may include an electronic assembly, a substrate, and a sacrificial anode portion that is located between the electronic assembly and the substrate and that operatively attaches the electronic assembly to the substrate. The methods may include locating the multilayer stack within an electrically conductive fluid to form an electrochemical cell and generating a potential difference between a cathode portion of the electronic assembly and the sacrificial anode portion. The methods further may include separating the electronic assembly from the substrate by electrochemically oxidizing the sacrificial anode portion to dissolve the sacrificial anode portion within the electrically conductive solution.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrode for oxygen evolution in electroplating plants comprising a valve metal substrate and an outer catalytic layer, the substrate consisting of a metal plate provided with slits of area ranging from 2 to 8 cm2, said slits being spaced apart by a distance of 5 to 25 cm. The invention also concerns a horizontal electrochemical cell for electro-plating processes comprising at least one of said electrodes, and an electroplating plant equipped with at least one of said cells. The invention also concerns an electroplating process comprising the step of anodically evolving oxygen on the surface of said electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a production method for a support type ceramic membrane using tape casting, wherein, when producing a multifunctional membrane comprising a membrane structure such as a general electrochemical device or electrolysis cell or fuel cell, a dense-structure coating membrane or porous functional (separation) membrane is produced on one or more surfaces of a porous support.

Abstract: Microelectrode comprising a body formed from electrically non-conducting material and including at least one region of electrically conducting material and at least one passage extending through the body of non-conducting material and the region of conducting material, the electrically conducting region presenting an area of electrically conducting material to a fluid flowing through the passage in use. An electrochemical cell which includes such a microelectrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to photoelectrodes. In one aspect, a photoelectrode may include a substrate including an electrically conductive surface and at least one nanostructure in electrical contact with the surface of the substrate. The nanostructure may include an impurity. The impurity may impart a light-absorbing characteristic to the nanostructure.

Abstract: The catalytic composition for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is a metal oxide supported by multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The metal oxide may be nickel oxide (NiO) or tin dioxide (SnO2). The metal oxides form 20 wt % of the catalyst. In order to make the catalysts, a metal oxide precursor is first dissolved in deionized water to form a metal oxide precursor solution. The metal oxide precursor solution is then sonicated and the solution is impregnated in a support material composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to form a slurry. The slurry is then sonicated to form a homogeneous solid solution. Solids are removed from the homogeneous solid solution and dried in an oven for about 24 hours at a temperature of about 110° C. Drying is then followed by calcination in a tubular furnace under an argon atmosphere for about three hours at a temperature of 450° C.

Abstract: A cathode catalyst used for conversion of a carbon dioxide gas by an electrochemical reduction includes at least one first catalyst layer and at least one second catalyst layer disposed on a surface of the at least one first catalyst layer. The at least one second catalyst layer is a porous structure. The at least one first catalyst layer and the at least one second catalyst layer are physically combined with each other, and materials of the at least one first catalyst layer and the at least one second catalyst layer are different. A cathode material and a reactor include the cathode catalyst are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel mutants of PQQ s-GDH containing an amino acid substitution in position 428 of the protein sequence of the wild type PQQ s-GDH of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (SEQ.ID. NO:2). The invention also relates to the use of said PQQ s-GDH mutants for the development of glucose electrodes of interest in the assay of glucose, in particular of blood glucose in diabetic subjects, and for implementing biofuel cells that utilize glucose as fuel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrochemical pattern replication method, ECPR, and a construction of a conductive electrode for production of applications involving micro and nano structures. An etching or plating pattern, which is defined by a conductive electrode, a master electrode, is replicated on an electrically conductive material, a substrate. The master electrode is put in close contact with the substrate and the etching/plating pattern is directly transferred onto the substrate by using a contact etching/plating process. The contact etching/plating process is performed in local etching/plating cells, that are formed in closed or open cavities between the master electrode and the substrate.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation device (100) of the present invention includes: a transparent substrate (1); a photocatalytic electrode (4) formed of a transparent conductive layer (2) and a photocatalytic layer (3) disposed on the transparent substrate (1); a counter electrode (8) connected electrically to the transparent conductive layer (2); a water-containing electrolyte solution layer provided between the photocatalytic electrode (3) and the counter electrode (8); a separator (6) that separates the electrolyte solution layer into a first electrolyte solution layer (5) in contact with the photocatalytic electrode (4) and a second electrolyte solution layer (7) in contact with the counter electrode (8); a first gas outlet (14) for discharging a gas generated in the first electrolyte solution layer (5); and a second gas outlet (15) for discharging a gas generated in the second electrolyte solution layer (7).

Abstract: A cathode for a fuel cell comprising a catalyst layer; a backing layer mounted to an aperture in a fuel chamber of said fuel cell; 1) wherein said catalyst layer is mounted to the backing layer on a face opposed to the aperture, so as to be in fluid communication with atmospheric oxygen in the case of microbial fuel cell; and 2) wherein said catalyst layer is mounted to the backing layer on a face opposed to the aperture, so as to be in fluid communication with water in the case of microbial electrolysis cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bilirubin oxidase from Magnaporthe oryzae, to the method of preparation thereof as well as use thereof notably for assay of bilirubin and for the application of enzymatic biofuel cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a hydrogen evolution reaction catalyst are provided. Electrode material includes a plurality of clusters. The electrode exhibits bifunctionality with respect to the hydrogen evolution reaction. The electrode with clusters exhibits improved performance with respect to the intrinsic material of the electrode absent the clusters.

Abstract: An electrode for forming an electrochemical cell with a substrate and a method of forming said electrode. The electrode comprises a carrier provided with an insulating layer which is patterned at a front side. Conducting material in an electrode layer is applied in the cavities of the patterned insulating layer and in contact with the carrier. A connection layer is applied at the backside of the carrier and in contact with the carrier. The periphery of the electrode is covered by the insulating material.

Abstract: A cathode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a carrier, and an active material including M selected from the group consisting of Ru, Pt, Rh, and combinations thereof, and Ch selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof, with the proviso that the active material is not RuSe when the carrier is C.

Abstract: An efficient and low environmental impact method is disclosed for the recovery of lithium from aqueous solution, for example, brines from high altitude salt lakes. The method comprises the use of an electrochemical reactor with electrodes which are highly selective for lithium, where lithium ions are inserted in the crystal structure of manganese oxide in the cathode, and extracted from the crystal structure of manganese oxide in the anode. Also disclosed are three-dimensional carbon electrodes embedded in manganese oxides formed by impregnating a porous support, for example a carbon felt, with a manganese oxide/carbon black slurry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a removable anodising agent, in particular for local anodic oxidation of metal surfaces, and its use, and a method for anodic oxidation by means of an anodising agent according to the invention.

Abstract: The method for producing the optical semiconductor of the present disclosure includes a mixing step of producing a mixture containing a reduction inhibitor and a niobium compound that contains at least oxygen in its composition; a nitriding step of nitriding the mixture by the reaction between the mixture and a nitrogen compound gas; and a washing step of isolating niobium oxynitride from the material obtained through the nitriding step by dissolving chemical species other than niobium oxynitride with a washing liquid. The optical semiconductor of the present disclosure substantially consists of niobium oxynitride having a crystal structure of baddeleyite and having a composition represented by the composition formula, NbON.

Abstract: An electrode mask for electrowinning a metal is provided. An example technique forms openings in a solid nonconductive sheet, such as vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other plastic and adheres the sheet as a solid to a cathode surface as a mask. The mask protects the cathode surface from electrical interaction with an electrolyte, while the openings allow controlled electrodeposition of a metal in harvestable rounds, which can be stripped from the cathode. The electrode mask is reusable, and easily removed for recycling and replacement. A matrix design engine calculates pattern and sizes for the openings in the mask to optimize electrodeposition of the metal based on multiple parameters including the metal to be deposited, ions present in an electrolyte, electrolyte concentration, pH level, voltage, electrical current density, solution temperature, electrode temperature, or plating time.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell anode, including an encasing conductive material configured to encase a dense conductive material and define the electrolytic cell anode, wherein the dense conductive material has an electrical conductivity greater than that of the encasing conductive material.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an electrolytic cell is provided comprising: a containment vessel; a first electrode; a second electrode; a source of electrical current in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; an electrolyte in fluid communication with the first electrode and the second electrode; a gas, wherein the gas is formed during electrolysis at or near the first electrode; and a separator; wherein the first electrode is configured to control the location of nucleation of the gas by substantially separating the location of electron transfer and nucleation.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motheye mold according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) anodizing a surface of an aluminum film (10a) via an electrode (32a) that is in contact with the surface, thereby forming a porous alumina layer which has a plurality of very small recessed portions; (b) after step (a), allowing the porous alumina layer to be in contact with an etchant, thereby enlarging the very small recessed portions of the porous alumina layer; and (c) after step (b), further anodizing the surface to grow the plurality of very small recessed portions. The aluminum film is made of aluminum with a purity of 99.99 mass % or higher. The electrode includes a first electrode portion (32a1) which is made of aluminum with a purity of 99.50 mass % or lower and a second electrode portion (32a2) which is made of aluminum with a higher purity than the aluminum of the first electrode portion and which is interposed between the surface and the first electrode portion.

Abstract: Dual absorber electrodes are disclosed. In some embodiments, a dual absorber electrode includes a first absorber material, such as silicon, having a first bandgap, and a second absorber material, such as hematite, deposited on a surface of the first absorber material, the second absorber material having a second bandgap larger than the first bandgap of the first absorber. In some embodiments, the dual absorber electrodes of the present embodiment may be utilized in an electrolytic cell for water splitting.

Abstract: Provided are a photocatalyst having higher activity for hydrogen production through water splitting and a photoelectrode comprising the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst for water splitting of the present invention comprises a Ga selenide, an Ag—Ga selenide, or both thereof.

Abstract: A photoelectrode (100) of the present invention includes a conductive layer (12) and a photocatalytic layer (13) provided on the conductive layer (12). The conductive layer (12) is made of a metal nitride. The photocatalytic layer (13) is made of at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitride semiconductor and an oxynitride semiconductor. When the photocatalytic layer (13) is made of a n-type semiconductor, the energy difference between the vacuum level and the Fermi level of the conductive layer (12) is smaller than the energy difference between the vacuum level and the Fermi level of the photocatalytic layer (13). When the photocatalytic layer (13) is made of a p-type semiconductor, the energy difference between the vacuum level and the Fermi level of the conductive layer (12) is larger than the energy difference between the vacuum level and the Fermi level of the photocatalytic layer (13).

Abstract: An electrode for forming an electrochemical cell with a substrate and a method of forming said electrode. The electrode comprises a carrier provided with an insulating layer which is patterned at a front side. Conducting material in an electrode layer is applied in the cavities of the patterned insulating layer and in contact with the carrier. A connection layer is applied at the backside of the carrier and in contact with the carrier. The periphery of the electrode is covered by the insulating material.

Abstract: An electrode is formed using a sanding mechanism to condition the surface of the electrode for electrochemical purposes. Hazardous particles emitted during sanding are captured using jetted liquid, and may be recycled for later use. The sanded surface provides increased electrode lifespan and lead oxide adherence.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell is provided that can include: a first electrode plate including a first surface that can include a graphite material; a second electrode plate including a second surface that can include a graphite material opposing the first surface; an electrolytic reaction zone between the first surface and the second surface; and an inlet to and an outlet from the electrolytic reaction zone. The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate can include resin-impregnated monolithic graphite plates. The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate can form opposite internal walls of a chamber for the electrolytic reaction and thus can be provided without a container for containing the electrode plates. Methods are also provided for flow-through-resin-impregnating porous, monolithic graphite plates to form electrode plates.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for producing nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be made using ethanol as the solvent and the reductant to fabricate noble-metal nanoparticles with a narrow particle size distributions, and to coat a thin metal shell on other metal cores. With or without carbon supports, particle size is controlled by fine-tuning the reduction power of ethanol, by adjusting the temperature, and by adding an alkaline solution during syntheses. The thickness of the added or coated metal shell can be varied easily from sub-monolayer to multiple layers in a seed-mediated growth process. The entire synthesis of designed core-shell catalysts can be completed using metal salts as the precursors with more than 98% yield; and, substantially no cleaning processes are necessary apart from simple rinsing. Accordingly, this method is considered to be a “green” chemistry method.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to establish a technique for making it possible to immobilize an enzyme on an electrically conductive base material in a uniformly, high density, and constantly aligned orientation, for the purpose of constructing an enzyme electrode having improved electrode performance. An electrode having enzyme crystals immobilized thereon, the electrode being provided with an electrically conductive base material that can be connected to an external circuit and enzyme crystals that serve as an electrode catalyst, wherein the enzyme crystals are immobilized on the electrically conducive base material; a method for producing an electrode having enzyme crystals immobilized thereon; and a biological fuel cell and a biosensor which are provided with an electrode having enzyme crystals immobilized thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a surface renewable iridium oxide-glass or ceramic composite hydrogen ion electrode and, more particularly, a surface renewable iridium oxide-glass or ceramic composite hydrogen ion electrode, which has a long life due to its excellent physical strength, pH dependency approximate to a theoretical value (59 mV/pH unit), and high surface renewability, and a method of manufacturing the same. The iridium oxide composite hydrogen ion electrode according to the present invention is effective in that, when the electrode is contaminated or inactivated, the surface of the electrode can be regenerated through a simple grinding process because the electrode has high surface renewability, unlike conventional electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode for electrolytic applications, optionally an oxygen-evolving anode, obtained on a titanium substrate and having a highly compact dual barrier layer comprising titanium and tantalum oxides and a catalytic layer. A method for forming the dual barrier layer comprises the thermal decomposition of a precursor solution applied to the substrate optionally followed by a quenching step and a lengthy thermal treatment at elevated temperature.

Abstract: An electrode for breaking an edge of a part by electrochemical machining, the electrode including at least one conductive zone configured to be arranged facing an edge of the part that is to be broken. The conductive zone is of a shape that is complementary to the shape of the broken edge to be produced and is arranged between a first portion forming an insulating extra thickness and an insulating second portion for positioning the conductive zone so that it faces the edge to be broken.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the electro-production of metals, comprising a plurality of anodes and a plurality of cathodes in an interleaved configuration, wherein each anode and cathode pair forms a cell; a plurality of power supplies, each cell associated with one or more respective power supplies; and the power supplies are arranged to control a direct current in the one or more cells to a predetermined value.

Abstract: An electrode module capable of improving productivity by integrally bonding a current collector and a pair of electrodes using a protective film. The current collector receives power from an external power supply, and the pair of electrodes receives power from the current collector. The current collector and electrodes are integrally bonded by thermocompression using a protective film.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to organic products including formate and formic acid are provided. A system may include an electrochemical cell including a cathode compartment containing a high surface area cathode and a bicarbonate-based catholyte saturated with carbon dioxide. The high surface area cathode may include an indium coating and having a void volume of between about 30% to 98. The system may also include an anode compartment containing an anode and an acidic anolyte. The electrochemical cell may be configured to produce a product stream upon application of an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A photocatalyst material and a photocatalyst device capable of generating hydrogen from water by radiation of sunlight at high efficiency. The photocatalyst material according to the present invention includes a nitride-based compound semiconductor obtained by replacement of part of Ga and/or Al by a 3d-transition metal. The nitride-based compound semiconductor has one or more impurity bands. A light absorption coefficient of the nitride-based compound semiconductor is 1,000 cm?1 or more in an entire wavelength region of 1,500 nm or less and 300 nm or more. Further, the photocatalyst material satisfies the following conditions: the energy level of the bottom of the conduction band is more negative than the redox potential of H+/H2; the energy level of the top of the valence band is more positive than the redox potential of O2/H2O; and there is no or little degradation of a material even when the material is irradiated with light underwater.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode is described, especially for use in chloralkali electrolysis, said gas diffusion electrode having finely divided components on the liquid side. The electrode is notable for a low perviosity to gases and a lower operating voltage.

Abstract: A multi-layer cathode block (30) for an electrolytic cell (10) has at least a surface layer (32) with a surface expansion index and a second layer (34) with a second expansion index. The surface layer (32) includes a surface wetting agent in a first total amount. The second layer (34) includes a wetting agent in a second total amount. The surface layer (32) is directly superposed to the second layer (34). The second wetting agent in the second layer (34) includes metal boride precursors that react together to generate a metal boride component in situ when the cathode block (30) is exposed to start-up and operation conditions of the electrolytic cell (10). The second total amount is lower than the first total amount and is selected so as to minimize the difference between the expansion indexes of the surface layer (32) and the second layer (34).

Abstract: The present invention relates to amorphous transition metal sulphides as electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from water or aqueous solutions and use thereof in electrodes and electrolysers.

Abstract: The embodiments describe a system for combinatorial processing of a substrate. In one embodiment, electrodeposition processing techniques are combinatorially evaluated. The system is capable of providing a localized electrical connection to each region of a substrate being combinatorially processed. The localized electrical contacts allow for varying a voltage delivered to each region of a substrate whether processing the regions in serial or parallel. Accordingly, from a single substrate, a variety of materials, process conditions, and process sequences may be evaluated for desired electrodeposition results.

Abstract: A catalyst for the electrolysis of water molecules and hydrocarbons, the catalyst including catalytic groups comprising A1-xB2?yB?yO4 spinels having a cubical M4O4 core, wherein A is Li or Na, B and B? are independently any transition metal or main group metal, M is B, B?, or both, x is a number from 0 to 1, and y is a number from 0 to 2. In photo-electrolytic applications, a plurality of catalytic groups are supported on a conductive support substrate capable of incorporating water molecules. At least some of the catalytic groups, supported by the support substrate, are able to catalytically interact with water molecules incorporated into the support substrate. The catalyst can also be used as part of a photo-electrochemical cell for the generation of electrical energy.

Abstract: Subject The present invention aims to provide an anode for electrolysis by an ion exchange membrane process and the manufacturing method thereof which can show a lower concentration of by-product oxygen gas in chlorine gas and a lower overvoltage stably for a long time, compared with conventional anodes.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a zinc electrowinning anode capable of inhibiting manganese compound deposition on the anode and a cobalt electrowinning anode capable of inhibiting cobalt oxyhydroxide deposition on the anode. The zinc electrowinning anode according to the present invention is a zinc electrowinning anode having an amorphous iridium oxide-containing catalytic layer formed on a conductive substrate, and the zinc electrowinning method according to the present invention is an electrowinning method using that electrowinning anode. Also, the cobalt electrowinning anode according to the present invention is an electrowinning anode having an amorphous iridium oxide or ruthenium oxide-containing catalytic layer formed on a conductive substrate, and the cobalt electrowinning method according to the present invention is an electrowinning method using that electrowinning anode.