Electrochemical cell energy device based on novel electrolyte

• US 7,579,117 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kirby Beard
• Original Assignee: Kirby Beard
• Inventors: Beard, Kirby
• Primary Examiner(s): Ryan; Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis; Ben
• Application Number:
  US11/508,039
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 429/15, 429/29, 429/33, 429/305, 429/324
• US Class Current: 429/324
• CPC Class Codes: G21B 3/00 Low temperature nuclear fusion reactors, e.g. alleged cold fusion reactors
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/022 Electrolytes; Absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0569 characterised by the solvents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/00 Hybrid cells; Manufacture thereof hybrid capacitors H01G11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0045 Room temperature molten salts comprising at least one organic ion
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/164 by the solvent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/20 Indirect fuel cells, e.g. fuel cells with redox couple being irreversible H01M8/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/10 Nuclear fusion reactors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A novel electrolyte system technology, based on a supercritical fluid solvent using any of a variety of conventional dissolved species with organic salts, hydrates and aqueous-based systems being preferred, that is useful in a variety of electrochemical applications, including batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, sensors, fusion reactors and other similar types of electrolytic cells.

Claims

1. A non-aqueous solvent electrolyte solution, within an electrochemical cell, comprising dissociable ionic species, selected from the group consisting of electrolytes with at least one ion consisting of proton cations, hydroxyl anions or either positively or negatively charged single atoms or low molecular weight functional groups, that are transported throughout a continuous phase of supercritical fluid electrolyte solvent between electrodes that provides high ionic conductivity throughout the electrode oxidation/reduction reactions wherein the electrochemical reactions produce a thermodynamically elevated energy state sufficient to yield an energy storage and production device.

2. The non-aqueous solvent electrolyte solution as in claim 1, further comprising one or more co-solvents that are miscible with the supercritical fluid, allow for dissociation and high conductivity of the dissociable ionic species, and are selected from the group consisting of organic liquids, inorganic liquids and organic acids and bases.

3. The non-aqueous solvent electrolyte solution as in claim 1, further comprising a conductive solid, including solid state conductors or ionic conductive polymers that may swell or gel with the supercritical fluid allowing for dissociation and high conductivity of the ionic species through said supercritical fluid.

4. The non-aqueous solvent electrolyte solution as in claim 1, further comprising one or more ionic species selected from the group consisting of organic salts, hydrated compounds, ionic liquids or ionic species based on protons or hydroxides as well as related hydrogen isotopes such as deuterium and tritium.

5. The non-aqueous solvent electrolyte solution as in claim 4, further comprising one or more ionic species selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium or potassium organic salts, hydrates, ionic liquids or ionic species based on protons or hydroxides as well as related hydrogen isotopes such as deuterium and tritium.

6. A non-aqueous solvent electrochemical energy storage and production device as in claim 1 using a non-polar supercritical or near supercritical fluid, which has chemical, thermal and galvanic stability in excess of conventional aqueous and organic electrolyte solvents.

7. The non-aqueous solvent electrochemical energy storage and productive device as in claim 6, further comprising one or more solvents that are miscible with the supercritical fluid and allow for dissociation and high conductivity of the ionic species, and are selected from the group consisting of organic liquids, inorganic liquids and organic acids and bases.

8. The non-aqueous solvent electrochemical energy storage and production device as in claim 6, further comprising a conductive solid including solid state conductors or ionic conductive polymers that may swell or gel with the supercritical fluid, allowing for dissociation and high conductivity of the ionic species through said supercritical fluid.

9. The electrochemical energy storage and production device as in claim 6, further comprising an electrochemical cell or battery.

10. The electrochemical energy storage and production device as in claim 6, further comprising a capacitor.

11. The electrochemical energy storage and production device as in claim 6, further comprising a semi-fuel cell or fuel cell.

12. A method of generating thermal nuclear energy by the electrochemical conversion of hydrogen isotopes through high voltage, high energy electrolysis into helium and other products with a net output of energy, using the electrochemical energy storage and production device as in claim 6, further comprising an electrolysis cell made of heavy water, deuterium or tritium, useful as a fusion reactor.

13. The electrochemical energy storage and production device as in claim 6, further comprising one or more dissociable ionic species selected from the group consisting of organic salts, hydrated compounds, ionic liquids or ionic species based on protons or hydroxides as well as related hydrogen isotopes such as deuterium and tritium.

14. The electrochemical energy storage and production device as in claim 13, further comprising ionic species selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium or potassium organic salts, hydrates, ionic liquids or aqueous ionic species based on protons or hydroxides as well as related hydrogen isotopes such as deuterium and tritium.