Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the electrochemical oxidation of a C—H bond in a compound to give a C—O bond or C—S bond. The oxidation of methane to methanol is described, as well as an electrochemical cell for performing the reaction.

Abstract: This invention describes a high-power, high-energy oxidant (catholyte) chemistry based on dichromate (CrVI as Cr2O72?) for use with a variety of fuels (anolytes) in redox flow batteries (RFBs, also known as reversible fuel cells), which reversibly store electricity as chemical energy. The reduction (discharge) of Cr2O72? to Cr3+ is natively irreversible at all investigated solid-state electrocatalysts, which has historically limited the employment of Cr2O72? to primary (non-rechargeable) cells, such as Grenet cells. The described invention overcomes this limitation by using a reversible redox couple, hereafter electron mediator, to heterogeneously donate electrons to the cathode electrocatalyst and homogeneously accept electrons from Cr3+ to regenerate Cr2O72?. RFBs employing this energy- and power-dense chemistry are suitable for low-cost energy storage applications, ranging from grid-level storage of renewable electricity to consumer electronics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite separation membrane that is applicable to carbon dioxide separation and recovery processes. The composite separation membrane includes a coating layer composed of graphene oxide and a bile acid or its salt on a porous polymer support. The composite separation membrane of the present invention, which includes a coating layer composed of graphene oxide and a bile acid or its salt, has both high carbon dioxide permeability and high selectivity for carbon dioxide over nitrogen, hydrogen or methane gas, is free of surface defects, and maintains a stable structure without deterioration of its performance even after long-term use. Due to these advantages, the composite separation membrane of the present invention can be applied to industrial fields involving carbon dioxide separation and recovery processes. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the composite separation membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.

Abstract: A system for producing energy that includes infusing porous carbon particles produced by pyrolysis of carbon-containing materials with an off-eutectic salt composition thus producing pore-free carbon particles, and reacting the carbon particles with oxygen in a fuel cell according to the reaction C+O2=CO2 to produce electrical energy.

Abstract: There are provided: a proton transporting material that improves mechanical characteristics of a sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material, can be kept as a membrane even though it is made a solid state while maintaining a molecular arrangement of a liquid crystalline state, and is suitable for electrolyte membranes of fuel cells etc.; an ion exchange membrane, a membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA), and a fuel cell that use the proton transporting material; a starting material for the proton transporting material. The proton transporting material has a molecular structure produced by crosslinking the sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material with a crosslinking agent having two or more functional groups in sites except that of the sulfonic acid group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell apparatus that can operate as either a fuel cell or a battery includes a cathode compartment, an anode compartment operatively connected to the cathode compartment, and a carbon fuel cell section connected to the anode compartment and the cathode compartment. An effusion plate is operatively positioned adjacent the anode compartment or the cathode compartment. The effusion plate allows passage of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide exhaust channels are operatively positioned in the electrochemical cell to direct the carbon dioxide from the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell in which carbon and water react to form hydrogen or water. The cells utilize electrolyte materials that hold or coordinate water to allow the useful reaction of carbon and water at moderate temperatures without the use of expensive pressure reactors. Activated carbon or carbon recovered from organic waste is used to fuel these cells to produce hydrogen gas or carbon dioxide and power at moderate temperatures and at very low cost.

Abstract: A natural gas fueled, direct carbon fuel cell produces electricity and hydrogen. It adds to an existing direct carbon fuel cell a carbon dioxide injection port to the cathode compartment; a natural gas feed port to the anode compartment, a hydrogen extraction port from the anode compartment, and a carbon dioxide extraction port from the anode compartment. To improve hydrogen generation efficiency, the anode compartment may have a louvered baffle dividing the anode compartment into an ante-chamber and a main chamber. The louvered baffle preferably has an upper section with slats angled from bottom to top and a lower section with slats angled from top to bottom. A heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat natural gas feed from hot hydrogen effluent. A second heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat oxygen-containing gas with hot nitrogen and carbon dioxide effluents.

Abstract: A method for forming a reinforced rigid anode monolith and fuel and product of such method.