Biological fuel cells with nanoporous membranes
First Claim
1. A fuel cell comprising:
- an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a nanoporous membrane having a pore size from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters a microbe in the anode chamber and wherein the nanoporous membrane allows nutrients to flow from the cathode chamber to the anode chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel cell comprising an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a nanoporous membrane between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters and isolates a microbe in the anode chamber. The nanoporous membrane allows nutrients to flow actively or passively from the cathode chamber to the anode chamber and can be modified by a thin film composite (TFC) to create a TFC nanofiltration membrane. The nanoporous membrane can have a pore size from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm. A method of making a fuel cell comprising configuring a nanoporous membrane between an anode chamber and a cathode chamber wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters and isolates a microbe in the anode chamber and can be used to protect the cathode chamber.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fuel cell comprising:
an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a nanoporous membrane having a pore size from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters a microbe in the anode chamber and wherein the nanoporous membrane allows nutrients to flow from the cathode chamber to the anode chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of making a fuel cell comprising:
configuring a nanoporous membrane having a pore size from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm between an anode chamber and a cathode chamber wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters a microbe in the anode chamber wherein the nanoporous membrane allows nutrients to flow from the cathode chamber to the anode chamber. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A fuel cell comprising:
an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a nanoporous membrane having a pore size from about 100 nm to about 1000 nm between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, wherein the nanoporous membrane sequesters a microbe in the anode chamber and isolates from environmental or non-electron producing contaminants and wherein the membrane allows for diffusion of nutrients and waste through the membrane passively or without being pumped. - View Dependent Claims (18)
Specification