Electric Power Research Institute Incorporated

Leland Stanford Junior University

Anthony J Appleby

Alan S Michaels

Jeremy C Wright

An improved electrochemical fuel cell is provided wherein the catalytic surface of the electrode comprises a layer bonded thereto, such layer comprising a fluorinated acid-containing polymer. The layer allows for separation of the conductivity and catalytic functions of the electrode, resulting in improved cell performance.

Acid fuel cell

An improved method and electrolytic cell for the oxidation of nitrogen-containing waste materials in a dialysate stream used for hemodialysis, hemofiltration or peritoneal dialysis comprises a cylinder having a porous anode and a porous cathode spaced apart in the direction of flow. By flowing the spent dialysate in the direction from the anode to the cathode, and applying sufficient voltage to oxidize chloride ion present to activated chlorine, the waste materials are oxidized to chlorinated intermediates. In the vicinity of the cathode, the chlorinated intermediates react further to yield to nitrogen and carbon dioxide, with the chlorine being reduced back to chloride ion. In this way, the dialysate is regenerated without the net evolution of undesirable chlorine species.

Flowthrough electrochemical hemodialysate regeneration

A photovoltaic cell in which a plurality of semiconductor bodies are provided on a conductive layer on a major surface of a substrate. Each body includes a core and an outer layer of different conductivity types. A transparent conductive layer interconnects the semiconductor bodies. In one embodiment a single conductive layer is formed on the substrate, and a voltage differential is generated between the signal conductive layer and the transparent conductive layer. Alternatively, two conductive layers can be provided on the substrate and the voltage differential is generated between the two conductive layers.

Photovoltaic battery

A photovoltaic cell includes a substrate having two conductive layers thereon and a plurality of discrete semiconductor bodies positioned on the conductive layers. In one embodiment discrete silicon particles of one conductivity type are positioned on one conductive layer and discrete silicon particles of opposite conductivity type are positioned on the other conductive layer. A redox system electrolyte contacts the particles whereby a voltage potential is generated across the two conductive layers in response to photons impinging on the semiconductor particles. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of spaced conductive layers are provided with both P type and N type silicon particles on each conductive layer. A redox electrolyte serially connects the bipolar cells of each conductive layer thereby providing a higher voltage potential. In making the devices, electrical potentials are applied to the conductive layers whereby charged silicon particles are attracted to selected conductive layers and repulsed by other conductive layers. The particles are affixed to the conductive layers by suitable finders or adhesives such as silicone resins.

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Anthony J Appleby