Active metal fuel cells
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An alkali metal fuel cell, comprising:
- an anode comprising solid alkali metal as fuel;
a cathode structure comprising a static electronically conductive component, an ionically conductive component comprising an electrolyte for ions of the alkali metal, and a fluid oxidant obtained from an operating environment of the cell;
a protective membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode structure, the membrane conductive to ions of the alkali metal, the membrane isolating the anode from the fluid oxidant of the cathode structure; and
alkali metal dissolved in a solvent on the anode side of the membrane.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An alkali metal fuel cell, comprising:
-
an anode comprising solid alkali metal as fuel; a cathode structure comprising a static electronically conductive component, an ionically conductive component comprising an electrolyte for ions of the alkali metal, and a fluid oxidant obtained from an operating environment of the cell; a protective membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode structure, the membrane conductive to ions of the alkali metal, the membrane isolating the anode from the fluid oxidant of the cathode structure; and alkali metal dissolved in a solvent on the anode side of the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of providing electrical power, the method comprising:
-
i) discharging an alkali metal fuel cell to provide electrical power, the cell comprising, an anode comprising solid alkali metal as fuel, a cathode structure comprising a static electronically conductive component, an ionically conductive component comprising an electrolyte for ions of the alkali metal, and a fluid oxidant obtained from an operating environment of the cell, a protective membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode structure, the membrane conductive to ions of the alkali metal, the membrane isolating the anode from the fluid oxidant of the cathode structure, and alkali metal dissolved in a solvent on the anode side of the membrane; and ii) adding fresh solid alkali metal fuel for the anode such that discharge of the cell continues. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of removing waste product from an alkali metal fuel cell, the method comprising:
-
i) discharging an alkali metal fuel cell, the cell comprising, an anode comprising solid alkali metal as fuel, a cathode structure comprising a static electronically conductive component, an ionically conductive component comprising an electrolyte for ions of the alkali metal, and a fluid oxidant obtained from an operating environment of the cell, a protective membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode structure, the membrane conductive to ions of the alkali metal, the membrane isolating the anode from the fluid oxidant of the cathode structure, and alkali metal dissolved in a solvent on the anode side of the membrane, thereby creating waste products in the cathode structure; and ii) flushing the cathode structure to remove the waste products from the cathode structure. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification