Power generating method and cell

• US 20030082437A1
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Sotomura, Tadashi
• Granted Patent: US 6,916,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/111
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/04 composed of a half-cell of the fuel-cell type and of a half-cell of the primary-cell type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/027 Negative electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2004/028 Positive electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/38 of elements or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/42 Alloys based on zinc
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/48 of inorganic oxides or hydroxides
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/50 of manganese
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/583 Carbonaceous material, e.g. graphite-intercalation compounds or CFx
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/60 of organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/661 Metal or alloys, e.g. alloy coatings H01M4/669 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/70 Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/30 Deferred-action cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04082 Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04276 Arrangements for managing the electrolyte stream, e.g. heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte intervening between the positive electrode and the negative electrode are employed, and a molecule capable of being excited due to absorption of light and electrochemically oxidizing carbohydrate is provided at at least either the negative electrode or the electrolyte, with production of electromotive force occurring between the positive electrode and the negative electrode as a result of supply of carbohydrate while the molecule is irradiated with light and oxidization of carbohydrate by the molecule at the negative electrode. This method makes it possible for the chemical energy which carbohydrates possess to be directly utilized as electrical energy.

Claims

1. A method for generating electricity employing a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte intervening between said positive electrode and said negative electrode,

wherein a molecule capable of being excited due to absorption of light and electrochemically oxidizing carbohydrate is provided at at least either said negative electrode or said electrolyte;

with production of electromotive force occurring between said positive electrode and said negative electrode as a result of supply of carbohydrate while said molecule is irradiated with light and oxidization of carbohydrate by said molecule at said negative electrode.

2. The method for generating electricity in accordance with claim 1, wherein a metal element capable of forming a complex comprising a carbohydrate hydroxyl group serving as ligand is provided at at least either said negative electrode or said electrolyte, and carbohydrate forming said complex is oxidized by said molecule.

3. The method for generating electricity in accordance with claim 1, wherein said molecule is excited as a result of absorption of light having wavelength within the range of from 300 nm to 1000 nm.

4. The method for generating electricity in accordance with claim 1, wherein said negative electrode has an oxide semiconductor that accepts an electron from said molecule.

5. The method for generating electricity in accordance with claim 1, wherein reduction of oxygen takes place at said positive electrode.

6. The method for generating electricity in accordance with claim 2 wherein said metal element is at least one species selected from among the group consisting of Cu, Ag, and Pt.

7. A battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte intervening between said positive electrode and said negative electrode, wherein at least either said negative electrode or said electrolyte has a molecule capable of being excited due to absorption of light and electrochemically oxidizing carbohydrate.

8. The method for generating electricity in accordance with claim 7, wherein at least either said negative electrode or said electrolyte has a metal element capable of forming a complex comprising a carbohydrate hydroxyl group serving as ligand.

9. The method for generating electricity in accordance with claim 7, wherein said positive electrode is an oxygen electrode which reduces oxygen.