US 2003/0194585 A1 · Electrochemical device

Abstract

A device in accordance with a present invention includes at least one of a stainless steel anode and transition metal oxide cathode.

Drawings

Claims54

Dependent claims

A power generator, comprising:

borohydride fuel;
and
a stainless steel anode associated with the borohydride fuel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Abstract

A device in accordance with a present invention includes at least one of a stainless steel anode and transition metal oxide cathode.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims54

Dependent claims

A power generator, comprising:

borohydride fuel;
and
a stainless steel anode associated with the borohydride fuel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,615 words

Summary159 words

#1. Field of the Inventions

#The present inventions are related to electrochemical devices such as, for example, fuel cells and batteries.

#2. Description of the Related Art

Brief description of the drawings16 figures

#Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventions will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an electrochemical cell in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.

#FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an anode in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.

Detailed description3,147 words

#The following is a detailed description of the best presently known modes of carrying out the inventions. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the inventions. It is noted that detailed discussions of electrochemical cell structures that are not pertinent to the present inventions have been omitted for the sake of simplicity.

#As illustrated for example in FIG. 1, an electrochemical cell 100 in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention includes an anode 102 (or “fuel electrode”) and a cathode 104 (or “air electrode”). An optional ion exchange membrane 106, which is secured to the cathode 104 in the exemplary embodiment, may be provided in those instances where a soluble fuel is used. Fuel 108 is consumed at the anode 102. Oxygen, which is preferably drawn from ambient air, is consumed at the cathode 104. The anode 102 is protected from the air by an air impermeable membrane 109 (FIG. 7). The fuel 108 is located with a relatively thin space (i.e. about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm) between the anode 102 and the ion exchange membrane 106. As discussed in greater detail below, the manner in which the fuel 108 is situated adjacent to the anode 102 will depend on the style (i.e. a battery or fuel cell) and particulars of the electrochemical cell. For example, a space for additional fuel may be provided between the anode 102 and the air impermeable membrane 109.

#The fuel 108 is preferably a borohydride fuel such as, for example, sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in a 20% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. Here, when the electrochemical cell 100 is connected to a load, the reaction at the anode 102 will be BH4+8 OH—→BO2-+6 H2O+8 e- (2), while the reaction at the cathode 104 will be 8 e-+4 H2O+2 O2→8 OH— (3).

Electrochemical device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Claims54

Electrochemical device

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims54

Description3,615 words

Drawings

Classification14 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,615 words