The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 20, 2016
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2011
Akihito Yoshida, Osaka, JP;
Shunsuke Sata, Osaka, JP;
Masaki Kaga, Osaka, JP;
SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A hydrogen production device of the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion portion having a light-receiving surface and a back surface, a first electrolysis electrode provided on the back surface, and a second electrolysis electrode provided on the back surface. As a result of reception of light by the photoelectric conversion portion, a potential difference is generated between a first area on the back surface and a second area on the back surface, the first area becomes electrically connected to the first electrolysis electrode, and the second area becomes electrically connected to the second electrolysis electrode. When the first electrolysis electrode and the second electrolysis electrode contact an electrolyte solution, the first electrolysis electrode forms a hydrogen generation portion that generates Hfrom the electrolyte solution using an electromotive force generated as a result of reception of light by the photoelectric conversion portion and the second electrolysis electrode forms an oxygen generation portion that generates Ofrom the electrolyte solution using the electromotive force.