Electrochemical cells comprising laminar flow induced dynamic conducting interfaces, electronic devices comprising such cells, and methods employing same
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorsLarry J. Markoski, Jeffrey S. Moore, Joseph W. Lyding
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Abstract
An electrochemical cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a parallel laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.
Claims14
A fuel cell, comprising:
- an anode comprising an anode catalyst,
- a cathode comprising a cathode catalyst,
- a channel that is contiguous with at least a portion of the anode, and
- a first liquid comprising a fuel;
- where the first liquid flows in the channel in laminar flow, and the flowing first liquid is in direct contact with the anode catalyst,
- complementary half cell reactions take place at the anode and the cathode, respectively,
- a current density of at least 0.1 mA/cm2 is produced, and
- ions travel from the anode to the cathode without traversing a membrane.
A fuel cell, comprising:
- an anode comprising an anode catalyst,
- a cathode comprising a cathode catalyst,
- a channel that is contiguous with at least a portion of the anode, and
- a first liquid comprising a fuel;
- a second liquid in contact with the cathode;
- where the first liquid flows in the channel in laminar flow, and the flowing first liquid is in direct contact with the anode catalyst,
- complementary half cell reactions take place at the anode and the cathode, respectively,
- a current density of at least 0.1 mA/cm2 is produced, and
- ions travel from the anode to the cathode without traversing a membrane, wherein the second liquid flows in the channel in laminar flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.