Pre-equilibrium chemical reaction energy converter
First Claim
1. A device for generating electricity comprising:
- a catalyst; and
a substrate, wherein the catalyst is arranged on a surface of the substrate and the substrate includes a piezoelectric element, wherein phonons generated upon interaction of the catalyst with reactants travel through the piezoelectric element which develops an electrical potential as a result.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The use of newly discovered chemical reaction products, created when reactants combine to form products on the surface of a catalyst, to generate electricity, beams of radiation or mechanical motion. The invention also provides methods to convert the products into electricity or motion. The electric generator consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate consisting of a semiconductor diode, and a semiconductor diode on the surface of the substrate near the catalyst. The device to generate mechanical motion consists of a catalyst nanocluster, nanolayer or quantum well placed on a substrate, and a hydraulic fluid in contact with the non-reaction side of the substrate, with the surfaces of both the catalyst and substrate mechanically formed to enhance the unidirectional forces on the fluid. Both devices use a fuel-oxidizer mixture brought in contact with the catalyst. The apparatus converts a substantial fraction of the reaction product energy into useful work during the brief interval before such products equilibrate with their surroundings.
34 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A device for generating electricity comprising:
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a catalyst; and
a substrate, wherein the catalyst is arranged on a surface of the substrate and the substrate includes a piezoelectric element, wherein phonons generated upon interaction of the catalyst with reactants travel through the piezoelectric element which develops an electrical potential as a result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
electrical contacts, the electrical contacts being arranged on the piezoelectric element, wherein the electrical potential appears at the electrical contacts; and
an electrical storage device, the electrical storage device being coupled to the electrical contacts, wherein the electrical storage device includes at least one of a capacitor, a super-capacitor and a battery.
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Specification