USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Steven P Tucker

Eric G Dow

Maria G Medeiros

Louis G Carreiro

Charles J Patrissi

James R Moden

Russell R Bessette

Raymond W Roberts

Christian R Schumacher

James M Cichon

Craig M Deschenes

A Alan Burke

Russel R Bessette

Dwayne W Dischert

An electrochemical cell includes a cathode pouch, an anode pouch, and a membrane separating the anode and cathode pouch. A lithium-based catholyte is inside the cathode pouch and between the membrane and pouch. A cathode current collector is located in contact with the catholyte. An anolyte having a silicon based lithium receiving material is between the anode pouch and the membrane. An anode current collector is located in contact with the anolyte. The volume between the anode pouch and the membrane contracts and expands in order to accommodate changes in anolyte volume during charging and discharge of the cell.

Liquid silicon pouch anode and cell

A bipolar electrode fabricated with a combination of materials that will physically separate the catholyte from the metal anode of the electrode while providing high electrical conductivity between the metal anode and the catalyst cathode. This is accomplished by layering the catalyst cathode over a composite of conductive adhesive and conductive foil that is then affixed to the metal anode.

Method of fabricating a bipolar electrode for use in a semi fuel cell

A power source for an unmanned undersea vehicle with increased energy density is described that employs a self-contained fuel system to address carbon dioxide evolution. A solid oxide fuel cell serves as the power source in the self-contained fuel system. In combination with the solid oxide fuel cell, the system comprises a chemical composite that is combined with water to create both a hydrocarbon fuel for the solid oxide fuel cell and a water-soluble byproduct. The byproduct is then combined with the carbon dioxide gas generated by the fuel cell to create a storable solid precipitate.

Self contained fuel system for solid oxide fuel cell

A fuel cell and a method for using the fuel cell to make electricity, in which the fuel cell has an anode half-cell having an electrocatalytic anode and a liquid anolyte that is substantially isopropanol dissolved in seawater. The fuel cell has a cathode half-cell having an electrocatalytic cathode and a liquid catholyte that is substantially hydrogen peroxide dissolved in slightly acidic seawater. The half-cells share a common proton exchange membrane. When the anode and cathode are in electrical connection the isopropanol is oxidized to carbon dioxide, which is fugitive, and the hydrogen peroxide is reduced to water. In the method, the anolyte and the catholyte, which are in effect the fuel of the fuel cell, are metered and re-circulated as needed to produce the necessary electrical power. The electrocatalytic electrodes are typically comprised of palladium and iridium alloys.

Direct reacting anolyte-catholyte fuel cell for hybrid energy sources

A new treatment method for ion exchange membranes used in semi-fuel cells that accelerates the wetting of the membranes by aqueous electrolyte solutions, thus reducing the start up time for metal/hydrogen peroxide-based semi-fuel cells. Specifically, a NAFION&#xae; membrane that is intended for dry storage in a semi-fuel cell is treated with glycerin (glycerol) to enhance its rate of absorption of electrolyte solution when the semi-fuel cell is activated.

Method to accelerate wetting of an ion exchange membrane in a semi-fuel cell

An electrochemical cell system and methods for controlling the system are provided that are operated to produce an amount of current based upon power draw. The cell utilizes a solution phase catholyte introduced into a cell containing a metallic anode and a catalytic surface. A cathodic species is introduced into the space between the anode and the surface as a liquid along with electrolyte and liquid caustic. The mixture of caustic, electrolyte and liquid catholyte is continuously recirculated through the space, and a portion of the recirculation stream is exhausted in order to control the concentration of reaction products in each cell. Controllable injection mechanisms are used to inject the liquids from storage sources based upon the monitored power draw. The control mechanism independently controls each injection mechanism to inject appropriate amounts of caustic, electrolyte and atholyte to achieve the desired concentrations.

Bi-liquid phase replenishment electrolyte management system

A system and a method of storage and dissolution of solid catholyte are provided. The system and the method employ a solid medium having a controlled surface from which solid catholyte particles suspended within a matrix of encapsulating species are dissolved and hydrolyzed producing hydrogen peroxide to be used in semi fuel cells of undersea vehicles. Encapsulating species are also dissolved and hydrolyzed rendering products completely usable in the semi fuel cell. Sodium peroxide is preferably used as the solid catholyte and potassium superoxide and/or sodium hydroxide are preferably used as encapsulating species.

System and a method of solid storage and dissolution of a catholyte for use in electrochemical cell

An additive for an aluminum-based semi-fuel cell system includes a combination of components including gallium, oxygen, and a sodium component dissolvable an alkaline electrolyte solution such as seawater and sodium hydroxide. These components form sodium gallium oxide and prevent or reduce formation of an oxide layer on a surface of an aluminum anode in the alkaline electrolyte of the semi-fuel cell system.

Sodium gallium oxide electrolyte additive for aluminum anode activation

In accordance with the present invention, an electrochemical system is provided which comprises a plurality of cells, the cells being formed by spaced apart bipolar electrodes. Each of the electrodes is formed by an anode portion formed from a magnesium containing material and an electrocatalytic material joined to a surface of the anode. The electrodes are spaced such that the anode portion of one electrode faces the electrocatalytic material of the adjacent electrode. The electrochemical system also comprises a manifold system for introducing a seawater-catholyte solution into the spaces between the electrodes. An electrical connection is provided across the cells so as to initiate the reduction of the seawater-catholyte solution at the electrodes and to create electrical power. In a preferred embodiment, the seawater-catholyte solution is a seawater-hydrogen peroxide or seawater-sodium hypochlorite solution. A process for generating electrical power using the electrochemical system of the present invention is also described.

Magnesium solution phase catholyte seawater electrochemical system

The present invention relates to a dry composition of materials to be used n a battery system. The dry composition comprises a mixture consisting of sodium hydroxide and sodium oxide. In a first reservoir in the battery system, the mixture is present in an amount sufficient to form with water a heated sodium hydroxide electrolyte solution having a 15% by weight concentration of sodium hydroxide. In a second reservoir in the battery system, the mixture is present in an amount sufficient to form with water a heated sodium hydroxide electrolyte solution having to up to about 75% by weight concentration of sodium hydroxide. The present invention also relates to a battery system and a method for generating electrical power which utilize the aforementioned dry composition of materials.

Growing community of inventors

Portsmouth, RI, United States of America

Steven P Tucker