Electrolysis transistor
First Claim
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1. A device, comprising:
- a first electrode and second electrode;
a gate structure coupled to an insulating material layer, wherein said insulating material layer prevents current from flowing from said gate structure, said gate structure electrically coupled to one of said first and second electrodes, wherein said gate structure is overhanging either said first or second electrode; and
a liquid electrolyte disposed between the electrodes and the gate structure, said liquid electrolyte configured to produce hydrogen or oxygen through electrolysis;
wherein the electric coupling is such that an electrical bias applied to said gate structure causes an electrical field formed in the electrolyte to lower an electrical potential barrier to electrolysis of the electrolyte, and a proximity of the gate structure to an active electrode surface of the first or second electrode is less than 100 nm, such that the electrical potential barrier to electrolysis is directly lowered at the electrode surface.
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Abstract
An electrolysis transistor for providing high-density electrochemistry and products utilizing the same, and high-efficiency electrolysis and electrochemical processes is disclosed. The electrolysis transistor may comprise an electrolyte, one or more working electrodes for transferring charge to or from said electrolyte, and one or more gate structures for altering electrode over-voltage and modifying the barrier at the electrode-electrolyte interface, reducing the voltage necessary for electrolysis. An electrochemical or photo-electrochemical cell may incorporate one or more of these electrolysis transistors.
37 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
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a first electrode and second electrode; a gate structure coupled to an insulating material layer, wherein said insulating material layer prevents current from flowing from said gate structure, said gate structure electrically coupled to one of said first and second electrodes, wherein said gate structure is overhanging either said first or second electrode; and a liquid electrolyte disposed between the electrodes and the gate structure, said liquid electrolyte configured to produce hydrogen or oxygen through electrolysis; wherein the electric coupling is such that an electrical bias applied to said gate structure causes an electrical field formed in the electrolyte to lower an electrical potential barrier to electrolysis of the electrolyte, and a proximity of the gate structure to an active electrode surface of the first or second electrode is less than 100 nm, such that the electrical potential barrier to electrolysis is directly lowered at the electrode surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for increasing the efficiency of electrolysis of a liquid electrolyte, comprising:
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providing a device having an electrode electrically coupled to a gate structure such that said gate structure is overhanging said electrode, having the electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein the gate structure is coupled to an insulating material layer, said insulating material layer preventing current from flowing from said gate structure; applying an electrical bias to said gate structure to modify an electric field and potential in a region between said electrolyte and said electrode or gate structure to lower an electrical potential barrier to electrolysis of said electrolyte disposed between said electrode and said gate structure; and generating spatially separated hydrogen and oxygen from electrolysis of the electrolyte.
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19. A method for increasing the efficiency of electrolysis of a liquid electrolyte, comprising:
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providing a device having an electrode electrically coupled to a gate structure such that said gate structure is overhanging said electrode, having the electrolyte disposed therebetween, wherein the gate structure is coupled to an insulating material layer, said insulating material layer preventing current from flowing from said gate structure; applying an electrical bias to said gate structure to modify an electric field and potential in a region between said electrolyte and said electrode or gate structure to lower an electrical potential barrier to electrolysis of said electrolyte disposed between said electrode and said gate structure; and generating hydrogen from electrolysis of the electrolyte.
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Specification