BIOLOGICAL FUEL CELL

• US 20100310945A1
• Filed: 03/31/2008
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: UCGS Ltd., UGCS Limited
• Original Assignee: UGCS Limited
• Inventors: Premier, Giuliano Claudio, Dinsdale, Richard Mark, Pickett, Christopher, Guwy, Alan Jon
• Application Number:
  US12/601,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20100310945A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/401
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/16 Biochemical fuel cells, i.e. cells in which microorganisms function as catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A fuel cell includes an anode 5, a cathode 7, a catalyst, an electrolytic fluid 4, a substrate, a fluid chamber 1 and a mobile capacitive particles 10,20 that are capable of storing charge. In operation, the charged capacitive particles 10 transfer electrons generated in an electrochemical reaction to the anode 5.

Claims

1. A fuel cell comprising an anode, a cathode, a catalyst, an electrolytic fluid, a substrate, a fluid chamber and a plurality of capacitive particles for transferring electrons generated in an electrochemical reaction to the anode wherein the capacitive particles are mobile particles that are capable of storing electrical charge.

2. The cell according to claim 1, wherein the cell is a microbial fuel cell (MFC) and the catalyst comprises bacteria.

4. The cell of claim 1, wherein the capacitive particles have a charging threshold potential of at least −

80 mV with respect to a Standard Hydrogen Electrode.

5. The cell of claim 1, wherein each capacitive particle has an average capacitance of at least 0.1 pF.

6. The cell of claim 1, wherein the capacitive particles comprise a synthetic material.

7. The cell of claim 6, wherein the capacitive particles comprise a composite material.

8. The cell of claim 1, wherein the capacitive particles comprise a chemical capacitor.

9. The cell of claim 1, wherein the capacitive particles each have an average volume of at least 0.1 mm³.

11. The cell of claim 1, wherein the capacitive particles include the catalyst.

12. The cell of claim 1, wherein the capacitive particles include a redox mediator.

13. The cell of claim 1, wherein the capacitive particles each have a specific gravity of at least 1.0.

15. The cell of claim 1, further comprising a driver for driving movement of the capacitive particles.

24. A synthetic capacitive particle able to carry charge produced in an electrochemical reaction in a fuel cell to an anode, wherein the particle is suitable for use in the cell of claim 1.

25. The synthetic capacitive particle of claim 24, wherein the capacitive particle has a capacitance of at least 0.1 pF.

26. The synthetic capacitive particle of claim 24, wherein the capacitive particle comprises a chemical capacitor.

27. A plurality of the synthetic capacitive particles of claim 24, wherein the plurality of capacitive particles have a range of potentials from about −

180 mV to about −

500 mV with respect to a Standard Hydrogen Electrode.

28. A waste treatment system including the cell of claim 1.

3. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

16-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A method of operating a fuel cell comprising an anode, a cathode, a fluid chamber, a catalyst, a electrolytic fluid, a substrate and a plurality of mobile capacitive particles that are capable of storing electrical charge, the method including the steps of:

a. generating electrons in an electrochemical reaction involving the substrate that is catalysed by the catalyst;

b. charging the capacitive particles with the electrons;

c. moving the capacitive particles or allowing the capacitive particles to move relative to the anode; and

d. discharging electrons from the capacitive particles to the anode.

21. The method of claim 20, including the step of concentrating charged capacitive particles prior to discharging electrons from the charged capacitive particles to the anode.

22-23. -23. (canceled)

29. A fuel cell apparatus comprising an anode, a cathode, a fluid chamber and a plurality of mobile capacitive particles that are capable of storing electrical charge.