Enlighten Innovations Inc.

Steven William Hughes

Mykola Makowsky

Sai Bhavaraju

Daniel Taggart

Joshua D Johnston

Sai Venkata Bhavaraju

Roger Marc Flinders

Thomas Ray Hinklin

Mathew Richard Robins

A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment configured to receive electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the ion-selective membrane facing the anode compartment and configured to distribute the electrons received from the external power supply across the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell. Self-priming includes combining the electrons with the metal ions arriving at an interface between the electrically conductive coating and the ion-selective membrane to produce the molten metal within the anode compartment.

Molten metal battery system with self-priming cells

A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment at least partially containing an anode current collector that receives electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electron transport structure extending between the anode current collector and the ion-selective membrane within the anode compartment and configured to transport the electrons from the anode current collector to the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell. Self-priming includes combining the electrons with the metal ions arriving at an interface between the electron transport structure and the ion-selective membrane to produce the molten metal within the anode compartment.

New dual temperature electrochemical methods and systems for the production of sodium metal from sodium polysulfides have been discovered. The technology provides high conductivity for sodium ions and extended service life for the electrochemical cell.

Production of sodium metal by dual temperature electrolysis processes

Growing community of inventors

Calgary, Canada

Steven William Hughes