Leland Stanford Junior University

Daimler-Benz Ag

Robert A Huggins

Martha Maly-Schreiber

Henry Wise

A self-contained, integrated-structure, miniature, electrochemical-type oxygen sensor is described which uses an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte. An encapsulated metal-metal oxide reference electrode on one surface of the solid electrolyte provides a reference oxygen pressure. A sensing electrode is placed on the other surface. The voltage developed between the reference electrode and the sensing electrode is indicative of the oxygen content of the fluid the sensing electrode is contacting.

Oxygen sensor

The invention relates to an electrochemical storage device having a plurality of serially connected individual cells, each of the individual cells having two spatially separated electrodes, between which an electrolyte and an intermediate part ensuring the spacing of the electrodes is arranged. In the interior of the storage device, each individual cell has a protective element which is formed from a solid material having a nonlinear current/voltage characteristic curve, and which makes electrical contact with the positive and the negative electrode within the individual cell and provides a voltage-dependent electrical connection between said electrodes. The electrical resistance of the protective element above a critical voltage is smaller, and below the critical voltage larger, than the resistance present between the electrodes at the respective voltages without the protective element. To protect the individual cells against overcharging, the critical voltage is smaller than the decomposition voltage of the associated individual cell.

Electrochemical storage device

Disclosed is an electrochemical reactor for partially oxidizing methane and cogenerating electrical energy. A solid-state ionic reactor is described in which a solid electrolyte is provided with a cathode and a perovskite type anode having a wide range of oxygen nonstoichiometry. The cell generates electrical energy as a result of the chemical potential difference brought about by the catalytic oxidation of methane at the anode with oxygen that chemically diffuses from the cathode through the solid-state ionic conductor.

Growing community of inventors

Ulm, Germany

Robert A Huggins