Gradient interface magnetic composites and methods therefor

• US 20020012821A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 01/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
• Inventors: Zook, Lois Anne, Leddy, Johna, Amarasinghe, Sudath
• Granted Patent: US 6,479,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/10
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/01 by addition of magnetic adjuvants
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/025 High gradient magnetic separators
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/034 characterised by the matrix elements
• CPC Class Codes: B03C 1/035 Open gradient magnetic separators, i.e. separators in which the gap is unobstructed, characterised by the configuration of the gap
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 25/00 Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 24/08 by application of heat or pressure and heat C23C24/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 30/00 Coating with metallic material characterised only by the composition of the metallic material, i.e. not characterised by the coating process C23C26/00, C23C28/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C23C 6/00 Coating by casting molten material on the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 11/00 Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: C25D 3/54 of metals not provided for in groups C25D3/04 - C25D3/50
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 9/12 by absorption; by adsorption; by ion-exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/0027 Thick magnetic films forming thick magnetic films H01F41/16
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/0054 Coated nanoparticles, e.g. nanoparticles coated with organic surfactant
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 1/009 bidimensional, e.g. nanoscale period nanomagnet arrays H01F10/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 10/007 ultrathin or granular films H01F10/005 and H01F10/3227 take precedence; applying ultrathin or granular layers to substrates H01F41/301
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/24 from liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/26 using electric currents , e.g. electroplating
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 41/301 for applying ultrathin or granular layers ultrathin or granular layers H01F10/007
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0082 : Organic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/02 : Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/86 : Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8605 : Porous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8857 : Casting, e.g. tape casting, vacuum slip casting
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/8882 : Heat treatment, e.g. drying, baking
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/9083 : on carbon or graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/926 : on carbon or graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1004 : characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1009 : with one of the reactants being liquid, solid or liquid-charged H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/249 : comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/32 : Composite [nonstructural laminate] of inorganic material having metal-compound-containing layer and having defined magnetic layer

Abstract

Magnetic composites exhibit distinct flux properties due to gradient interfaces. The composites can be used to improve fuel cells and batteries and effect transport and separation of different species of materials, for example, transition metal species such as lanthanides and actinides. A variety of devices can be made utilizing the composites including a separator, an electrode for channeling flux of magnetic species, an electrode for effecting electrolysis of magnetic species, a system for channeling electrolyte species, a system for separating particles with different magnetic susceptibilities, improved fuel cells, batteries, and oxygen concentrators. Some composites can be used to make a separator for distinguishing between two species of materials and a flux switch to regulate the flow of a chemical species. Some composites can control chemical species transport and distribution. Other composites enable ambient pressure fuel cells having enhanced performance and reduced weight to be produced. Still other composites enable rechargeable batteries to be made that have longer secondary cycle life and improved output power. Methods involving these composites provide distinct ways for these composites to be utilized.

Claims

1. A separator arranged between a first region containing a transition metal particle and another particle and a second region, comprising:

a first material having a first magnetism;

a second material having a second magnetism;

a plurality of boundaries providing a path between said first region and said second region, each of said plurality of boundaries having a magnetic gradient within said path, said path having an average width of approximately one nanometer to approximately several micrometers, wherein said transition metal particle has a first magnetic susceptibility and said another particle has a second magnetic susceptibility, wherein said first and said second magnetic susceptibilities are sufficiently different that said transition metal particle passes into said second region while most of said another particle remains in said first region.

2. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transition metal particle comprises a lanthanide.

3. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transition metal particle comprises an actinide.

4. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transition metal particle comprises a heavier transition metal.

5. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transition metal particle comprises a lighter transition metal.

6. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said another particle comprises a lanthanide.

7. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said another particle comprises an actinide.

8. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said another particle comprises a heavy transition metal.

9. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said another particle comprises a lighter transition metal.

10. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transition metal particle comprises a radioactive species.

11. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said another particle comprises a radioactive species.

12. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first region contains a ligand that forms complexes to aid the passage of said transition metal particle into said second region.

13. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said separator has a ligand associated therewith that forms complexes to aid in the passage of said transition metal particle into said second region.

14. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first region contains a ligand that forms complexes to suppress the passage of said another particle into said second region.

15. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said separator has a ligand associated therewith that forms complexes to suppress the passage of said another particle into said second region.

16. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein a thermal gradient is used to enhance the passage of said transition metal particle into said second region due to the thermal properties of the magnetic susceptibility of said transition metal particle.

17. A system, comprising:

a transition metal electrolyte species with a first magnetic susceptibility;

a second electrolyte species with a second magnetic susceptibility; and

a means for channeling said first electrolyte species with a first magnetic susceptibility preferentially over said second electrolyte species with a second magnetic susceptibility, wherein said means comprises a first material having a first magnetism forming a composite with a second material having a second magnetism.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said transition metal electrolyte species comprises a lanthanide.

19. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said transition metal electrolyte species comprises an actinide.

20. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said transition metal electrolyte species comprises a heavier transition metal.

21. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said transition metal electrolyte species comprises a lighter transition metal.

22. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second electrolyte species comprises a lanthanide.

23. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second electrolyte species comprises an actinide.

24. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second electrolyte species comprises a heavy transition metal.

25. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second electrolyte species comprises a lighter transition metal.

26. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said transition metal electrolyte species comprises a radioactive species.

27. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second electrolyte species comprises a radioactive species.

28. A system for separating lanthanides and actinides with different magnetic susceptibilities comprising:

a first magnetic material with a first magnetism; and

a second magnetic material with a second magnetism working in conjunction with said first magnetic material to produce magnetic gradients, wherein said magnetic gradients separate said f irst particles from said second particles.

29. A composite material for controlling chemical species transport comprising:

an ion exchanger;

a graded density layer, wherein said ion exchanger is sorbed into said graded density layer; and

a ligand associated with said composite material to aid in the transport of said chemical species.

30. An electrode, comprising:

a first conductor; and

a magnetic composite in surface contact with said first conductor, said magnetic composite further comprising;

an ion exchange polymer; and

a plurality of magnetic beads having a surface coating of one of a second conductor, a semiconductor, and a superconductor.

31. The electrode as claimed in claim 30, wherein said second conductor is platinum.

32. A system for separating species in a mixture, comprising:

a magnetic separator having a first side and a second side;

a first vat containing said mixture disposed on said first side of said separator; and

a second vat disposed on said second side of said separator, wherein said species in said mixture are separated by selective passage through said magnetic separator from said first vat to said second vat.

33. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said mixture comprises transition metal species.

34. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said mixture comprises lighter and heavier transition metal species.

35. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said mixture comprises lanthanides.

36. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said mixture comprises actinides.

37. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said mixture comprises radioactive species.

38. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said species that are separated by selective passage through said magnetic separator comprise lighter and heavier transition metal species.

39. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said species that are separated by selective passage through said magnetic separator will precipitate.

40. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said species that are separated by selective passage through said magnetic separator will precipitate in said second vat.

41. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said system will separate lighter and heavier transition metal from each other.

42. The system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said system further comprises a ligand that forms complexes to aid in the separation of said species.

43. A system for separating species in a mixture, comprising:

a magnetic separator having a first side and a second side;

a first vat containing said mixture disposed on said first side of said separator;

a second vat disposed on said second side of said separator; and

a selectivity enhancing material disposed within said system, wherein said species in said mixture are separated by selective passage through said separator from said first vat to said second vat aided by said selectivity enhancing material.

44. The system as claimed in claim 43, wherein said selectivity enhancing material is a ligand.

45. The system as claimed in claim 43, wherein said selectivity enhancing material is a chelating agent.

46. The system as claimed in claim 43, wherein said selectivity enhancing material forms complexes with said species in said mixture.

47. The system as claimed in claim 43, wherein said selectivity enhancing material forms complexes with said species in said mixture that pass through said magnetic separator.

48. The system as claimed in claim 43, wherein said selectivity enhancing material forms complexes with said species in said mixture in said first vat.

49. The system as claimed in claim 43, wherein selective passage of said species through said magnetic separator results in a purer concentration of said species in said second vat than in said first vat.

50. A system for separating species in a mixture, comprising:

a plurality of adjacent vats; and

a plurality of magnetic separators disposed between said plurality of adjacent vats, wherein said species in said mixture are separated by selective passage through said plurality of magnetic separators from one of said plurality of adjacent vats to another of said plurality of adjacent vats.

51. The system as claimed in claim 50, wherein selective passage of said species in said mixture through said plurality of magnetic separators results in a purer concentration of said species.

52. The system as claimed in claim 50, further comprising a selectivity enhancing material disposed within said system, wherein the separation of said species in said mixture is aided by said selectivity enhancing material.

53. The system as claimed in claim 52, wherein said selectivity enhancing material is a ligand.

54. The system as claimed in claim 52, wherein said selectivity enhancing material is a chelating agent.

55. A method for separating species in a mixture, comprising the steps of:

placing said mixture in a first vat;

selectively passing said species through a magnetic separator disposed between said first vat and a second vat; and

collecting said species selectively passed through said magnetic separator in said second vat.

56. The method as claimed in claim 55, further comprising the step of forming a complex between said species and a ligand prior to said collecting step.

57. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein said species is a transition metal species.

58. A method for separating species in a mixture, comprising the steps of:

placing said mixture in a first vat;

forming a complex of said species and a selectivity enhancing material;

selectively passing said species of said complex through a magnetic separator disposed between said first vat and a second vat; and

collecting said species selectively passed through said magnetic separator in said second vat.

59. The method as claimed in claim 58, wherein said selectivity enhancing material is a ligand.

60. The method as claimed in claim 58, wherein said species is a transition metal species.

61. A battery, comprising:

an electrolyte;

a magnetically modified first electrode disposed in said electrolyte, wherein said first electrode has a magnetic field associated therewith that suppresses electrode material dendrite formation; and

a second electrode disposed in said electrolyte.

62. The battery as claimed in claim 61, wherein one of said first electrode and said second electrode comprises zinc.

63. The battery as claimed in claim 61, wherein one of said first electrode and said second electrode comprises copper.

64. The battery as claimed in claim 61, wherein said first electrode enhances the flux of a constituent of said electrolyte.

65. The battery as claimed in claim 61, wherein said battery has extended secondary battery cycle life due to the suppression of dendrite formation.

66. The battery as claimed in claim 61, wherein said battery has a negligible increase in cell weight compared to a conventional battery.

67. The battery as claimed in claim 61, wherein said battery is rechargeable.

68. The battery as claimed in claim 67, wherein recharge time will be decreased by a much as ten-fold due to flux enhancements of constituents of said electrolyte.

69. The battery as claimed in claim 67, wherein transient output power will be higher by as much as ten-fold and the discharge of power will be more rapid due to flux enhancements of constituents of said electrolyte.

70. A battery, comprising:

an electrolyte;

a first electrode disposed in said electrolyte; and

a second electrode disposed in said electrolyte, wherein said battery has a magnetic coating disposed therein and a magnetic field associated therewith that suppresses electrode material dendrite formation.

71. A battery, comprising:

an electrolyte;

a magnetically modified first electrode disposed in said electrolyte, wherein said first electrode has a magnetic field associated therewith that enables said battery to have a shorter discharge time; and

a second electrode disposed in said electrolyte.

72. A fuel cell, comprising:

a magnetically modified first electrode; and

a second electrode, wherein a flux of oxygen is established between said first electrode and said second electrode, and wherein said first electrode enhances the kinetic efficiency of the reduction of oxygen to water.

73. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 72, wherein said fuel cell has a thermal signature below 100°

C.

74. A fuel cell, comprising:

a magnetically modified first electrode; and

a second electrode, wherein a flux of oxygen is established between said first electrode and said second electrode, and wherein said fuel cell has a thermal signature below 100°

C.

75. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 74, wherein said fuel cell has an outside covering comprised of a gas porous or permeable hydrocarbon material.

76. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 74, wherein the said fuel cell is approximately ⅜

inch thick.

77. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 74, wherein said fuel cell is flexible.

78. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 74, wherein said fuel cell is approximately the size of a letter sized piece of paper, capable of producing enough power to run electronic devices.

79. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 74, wherein said fuel cell can be confined to at least one confined geometry and volume, and may be one of flattened for use and used in one of said at least confined goemetry.

80. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 74, wherein said fuel cell can produce up to at least 30 Watts of power.

81. A fuel cell, comprising:

a magnetically modified first electrode; and

a second electrode, wherein a flux of oxygen is established between said first electrode and said second electrode, and wherein a potential shift is produced at said first electrode.

82. A fuel cell having two electrodes and a flux of magnetic species between said two electrodes, wherein one of said two electrodes comprises:

a conductor; and

a composite magnetic material in surface contact with said conductor, said composite magnetic material having a plurality of transport pathways through said composite magnetic material to enhance the passage of said magnetic species to said conductor, thereby enhancing the kinetic efficiency of the electrolysis of said magnetic species.

83. A fuel cell having two electrodes and a flux of magnetic species between said two electrodes, wherein one of said two electrodes comprises:

a conductor; and

a composite magnetic material in surface contact with said conductor, said composite magnetic material having a plurality of transport pathways through said composite magnetic material to enhance the passage of said magnetic species to said conductor, thereby producing a potential shift at said one of said two electrodes.

84. An ambient pressure fuel cell, comprising:

a magnetically modified first electrode disposed in said fuel cell;

a second electrode disposed in said fuel cell; and

a fuel source having an established transport direction for constituents thereof disposed between said first electrode and said second electrode.

85. The fuel cell as claimed in claim 84, wherein said fuel cell is light-weight, flexibly packaged, and a high performance power source.

86. A fuel cell, comprising:

a magnetically modified first electrode; and

a second electrode, wherein an increased current is driven by a higher flux of oxygen established between said first electrode and said second electrode and the resultant higher surface concentration of oxygen.

87. A system for concentrating oxygen from air, comprising:

a magnetic separator; and

a pathway for said oxygen to pass through said magnetic separator concentrating said oxygen due to magnetic effects of said magnetic separator.

88. A system for concentrating oxygen from a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, comprising:

a magnetic separator; and

a pathway for said oxygen to pass through said magnetic separator concentrating said oxygen due to magnetic effects of said magnetic separator.

89. A method of using a fuel cell, comprising the steps of:

confining the fuel cell in a geometry;

exposing the fuel cell to air; and

hooking up a device requiring power or recharging to said fuel cell.

90. The method as claimed in claim 89, further comprising the step of flattening said fuel cell from said geometry.

91. A system for plating dense films of lanthanides or actinides, comprising:

an electrolyte comprising lanthanides or actinides;

a magnetically modified first electrode disposed in said electrolyte;

a second electrode disposed in said electrolyte, wherein said magnetically modified electrode suppresses dendrite formation during the plating of said dense films.

92. A system for collecting transition metal species, comprising:

a plurality of scrubbers having located therein magnetic separators for collecting said transition metal species;

means for containing within and distributing externally said plurality of scrubbers amongst said transition metal species;

means for recollecting said plurality of scrubbers within said containing within and distributing externally means after said plurality of scrubbers has collected said transition metal species;

means for releasing said transition metal species from said plurality of scrubbers by turning on or off said magnetic separators and for allowing said plurality of scrubbers to be re-used.

93. The system as claimed in claim 92, wherein said means for releasing said transition metal species uses temperature effects to release said transition metal species.

94. The system as claimed in claim 92, wherein said magnetic separators comprise flux switches.

95. The system as claimed in claim 92, wherein said transition metal species comprise radioactive species.

96. The system as claimed in claim 92, wherein said system is employed to remove uranium ions and salts from mine tailings.

97. A system for collecting transition metal species, comprising:

a plurality of scrubbers having located therein magnetic separators for collecting said transition metal species;

means for containing within said plurality of scrubbers;

means for distributing said transition metal species to be collected amongst said plurality of scrubbers;

means for releasing said transition metal species from said plurality of scrubbers after said plurality of scrubbers has collected said transition metal species by turning on or off said magnetic separators and for allowing said plurality of scrubbers to be re-used.

98. The system as claimed in claim 97, wherein said means for releasing said transition metal species uses temperature effects to release said transition metal species.

99. The system as claimed in claim 97, wherein said magnetic separators comprise flux switches.

100. The system as claimed in claim 97, wherein said distributing means comprises means for flowing said transition metal species one of over, through, passed, and amongst said plurality of scrubbers.

101. The system as claimed in claim 97, wherein said transition metal species comprises radioactive species.

102. The system as claimed in claim 97, wherein said system is employed to clean remove uranium from mine tailings.

103. A method for removing transition metal species from an environment, comprising the steps of:

dispensing a plurality of scrubbers having located therein magnetic separators for collecting said transition metal species into said environment;

allowing said plurality to collect said transition metal species;

recollecting said plurality of scrubbers;

releasing said transition metal species collected by turning on or off said magnetic separators of said plurality of scrubbers that are recollected;

resetting said magnetic separators after said plurality of scrubbers have released said transition metal species collected; and

redispensing said scrubbers into said environment in a recyclable fashion until all or most of said heavy transition metal species has been removed from said environment.

104. The method as claimed in claim 103, wherein said magnetic separators comprise flux switches.

105. The method as claimed in claim 103, wherein said transition metal species comprises radioactive species.

106. The method as claimed in claim 103, wherein said system is employed to clean remove uranium from mine tailings.

107. The method as claimed in claim 103, wherein said environment is a storage tank having radioactive transition metal species to be removed therein.

108. A separator arranged between a first region containing a first type of particle and a second type of particle and a second region, comprising:

a polystyrene sulfonate ion exchange polymer having a first magnetism;

a second material having a second magnetism;

a plurality of boundaries providing a path between said first region and said second region, each of said plurality of boundaries having a magnetic gradient within said path, said path having an average width of approximately one nanometer to approximately several micrometers, wherein said first type of particles have a first magnetic susceptibility and said second type of particles have a second magnetic susceptibility, wherein said first and said second magnetic susceptibilities are sufficiently different that said first type of particles pass into said second region while most of said second type of particles remain in said first region.

109. The separator as claimed in claim 108, wherein acetonitrile is used as a solvent.

110. The separator as claimed in claim 108, wherein tetraalkylammonium tetrafluoroborate is used as an electrolyte.

111. The separator as claimed in claim 108, wherein said first type of particle comprises Fe(bpy)₃³⁺ and said second type of particle comprises Fe(bpy)₃²⁺.