| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 205340000 | Utilizing electromagnetic wave energy during synthesis (e.g., visible light, etc.) | 77 |
| 20080237056 | MATERIAL SURFACE TREATMENT METHOD USING CONCURRENT ELECTRICAL, VIBRATIONAL AND PHOTONIC STIMULATION - A method of preparing a material surface, such as palladium, to facilitate desirable reactions, especially exothermic reactions in a liquid medium, involves placing the material whose surface is to be treated into an electrolytic cell as at least one of the electrodes and then concurrently stimulating the material electrically, vibrationally and photonically. The electrolytic cell includes a solution in water of an electrolyte, a siliceous surfactant and a pH-adjusting agent, all heated and maintained at or just below its boiling point. A series of voltage pulses are applied to the electrodes over an extended time period while also being illuminated with intensity-modulated light pulses. The material surface thus treated exhibits crater sites and silica coatings, evidencing a change in bonding of the palladium surface, as well as a sustained exothermic reaction. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080296170 | Method and Apparatus for Synthesizing Hypochlorous Acid - Hypochlorous acid is produced economically without the supply of electricity energy from outside. To actualize the production, a photoelectric cell having a titanium oxide electrode | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080302669 | Composite Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production and Method of Their Use - The present invention is directed to a composite material for photocatalytic H | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090045072 | III/V GROUP NITRIDE SEMICONDUCTOR, PHOTOCATALYTIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, PHOTOCATALYTIC OXIDATION-REDUCTION REACTION APPARATUS AND EXECUTION PROCESS OF PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL REACTION - Provided are a III/V group nitride semiconductor causing an oxidation-reduction reaction at a high photoconversion efficiency by irradiation of light, a photocatalytic semiconductor device, a photocatalytic oxidation-reduction reaction apparatus, and an execution process of a photoelectrochemical reaction. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090127124 | STRESS-INDUCED BANDGAP-SHIFTED SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTOELECTROLYTIC/PHOTOCATALYTIC/PHOTOVOLTAIC SURFACE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME - Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.0, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090183994 | PREPARATION OF NANO-TUBULAR TITANIA SUBSTRATE WITH OXYGEN VACANCIES AND THEIR USE IN PHOTO-ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER - The invention relates to a method of making a nanotubular titania substrate having a titanium dioxide surface comprised of a plurality of vertically oriented titanium dioxide nanotubes containing oxygen vacancies, including the steps of anodizing a titanium metal substrate in an acidified fluoride electrolyte and annealing the titanium oxide surface in a non-oxidating atmosphere. The invention further relates to a nanotubular titania substrate having an annealed titanium dioxide surface comprised of self-ordered titanium dioxide nanotubes containing oxygen vacancies. The invention further relates to a photo-electrolysis method for generating H | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090242420 | SOLAR-THERMAL FLUID HEATING FOR AEROSPACE PLATFORMS - An aerospace platform includes a structure having a cavity and a light-transmissive portion that exposes the cavity to sunlight. The aerospace platform further includes a fluid heating system. The fluid heating system includes a fluid-carrying, thermally absorptive structure within the cavity, and a solar collector for collecting light transmitted through the light-transmissive portion and focusing the collected light onto the absorptive structure. The thermally absorptive structure has a high surface absorptivity that retains thermal energy when exposed to solar irradiance and heats fluid contained therein. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20100000874 | VARIOUS METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SOLAR ASSISTED FUEL PRODUCTION - Products from a solar assisted reverse-water-gas-shift reaction (RWGS) are used to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Heliostats focus solar energy to heat carbon dioxide gas. A water splitter splits water into hydrogen molecules and oxygen molecules via the addition of the solar energy also directed from either the same array of heliostats via a beam splitter off a common receiving tower redirecting a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, a heliostat field dedicated for the water splitter, or from its own parabolic trough. A chemical reactor mixes heated carbon dioxide gas with all or just a portion of the hydrogen molecules from the water splitter in a RWGS reaction to produce resultant carbon monoxide. A synthesis reactor uses any unconsumed hydrogen molecules and the resultant stabilized carbon monoxide molecules from the RWGS reaction in the hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100133110 | CATALYTIC MATERIALS, PHOTOANODES, AND PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS FOR WATER ELECTROLYSIS AND OTHER, ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES - Catalytic materials, photoanodes, and systems for electrolysis and/or formation of water are provided which can be used for energy storage, particularly in the area of solar energy conversion, and/or production of oxygen and/or hydrogen. Compositions and methods for forming photoanodes and other devices are also provided. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100187123 | CONVERSION OF CARBON DIOXIDE TO ORGANIC PRODUCTS - The invention relates to various embodiments of an environmentally beneficial method for reducing carbon dioxide. The methods in accordance with the invention include electrochemically or photoelectrochemically reducing the carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode, e.g., an inert metal counterelectrode, in one cell compartment and a metal or p-type semiconductor cathode electrode in another cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst of one or more substituted or unsubstituted aromatic amines to produce therein a reduced organic product. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100200418 | PROCESS FOR ELECTROSYNTHESIS OF ENERGETIC MOLECULES - A process for the production of energetically rich compounds comprising: using externally supplied thermal energy to heat an electrolyzable compound to a temperature greater than the ambient temperature; generating electricity from a solar electrical photovoltaic component; subjecting the heated electrolyzable compound to electrolysis with the solar generated electricity to generate an energetically rich electrolytic product. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100224502 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT ON-DEMAND PRODUCTION OF H2 AND O2 FROM WATER USING WASTE HEAT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE METALS - A method of and apparatus for efficient on-demand production of H | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100258446 | SYSTEMS INCLUDING NANOTUBULAR ARRAYS FOR CONVERTING CARBON DIOXIDE TO AN ORGANIC COMPOUND - A system including nanostructure arrays for converting carbon dioxide to an organic compound, e.g., methanol, which does so, for example, without any external electric energy. In one embodiment, the system for converting carbon dioxide to an organic compound includes an array of nanotubes, which include nanoparticles of an electron mediator, e.g. palladium, dispersed on a surface of the nanotubes, and an electrically conductive fluid. The array of nanotubes is at least partially immersed in the electrically conductive fluid. The system further includes a light source that irradiates the array of nanotubes, a source of carbon dioxide, and an inlet for delivering the carbon dioxide to the electrically conductive fluid whereat at least a portion of the carbon dioxide is converted to a different organic compound, such as methanol, via contact with an irradiated array of nanotubes. In one example, the array is an ordered array of titania nanotubes. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20110042227 | Ruthenium or Osmium Complexes and Their Uses as Catalysts for Water Oxidation - The present invention provides ruthenium or osmium complexes and their uses as a catalyst for catalytic water oxidation. Another aspect of the invention provides an electrode and photo-electrochemical cells for electrolysis of water molecules. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110056841 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIRECT CONVERSION OF SOLAR ENERGY TO CHEMICAL ENERGY - Semiconductor nano-sized particles possess unique properties, which make them ideal candidates for applications in solar electrochemical cells to produce chemical energy from solar energy. Coupled nanocrystal photoelectrochemical cells and several applications improve the efficiency of solar to chemical energy conversion. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110214995 | Method for Making Radioactive Isotopic Gallium-67 - Disclosed is a method for making carrier-free radioactive isotopic gallium-67. Stable isotopic zinc-68 is turned into zinc-68 solid target by disposition or electroplating. Then, the zinc-68 solid target is subjected to a proton beam. A cyclotron is used to provide irradiation from 15 to 40 MeV. After the irradiation, the zinc-68 solid target is dissolved in concentrated acid and turned into solution that contains zinc-65, zinc-68, gallium-67 and gallium-68. High concentrated hydrochloric acid and resin are added into the solution for exchange of ions. Zinc-68 liquid and gallium-67 liquid are filtered and separated from the solution. Thus, pure gallium-67 liquid is produced. With a vaporizer, the gallium-67 liquid is vaporized and turned into radioactive isotopic gallium-67. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110220515 | WATER SPLITTING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A water-splitting apparatus and method generating hydrogen and oxygen at separate electrodes have a structure enabling a photo catalytic reaction to be efficiently performed. The apparatus includes a photolysis element having an N-type water-splitting electrode surface and a P-type water-splitting electrode surface at the opposite side surface to the N-type water-splitting electrode surface, a hydrogen generating cell holding the N-type water-splitting electrode surface and collecting the hydrogen generated at that water-splitting electrode surface, and an oxygen generating cell holding the P-type water-splitting electrode surface, collecting the oxygen generated at that water-splitting electrode surface, and adjoining the hydrogen generating cell across the photolysis element. The photolysis element has through holes enabling circulation of water between the hydrogen and oxygen generating cells. The through holes are arranged so that light irradiated on one of the N-type and P-type water-splitting electrode surfaces does not pass through to the opposite side water-splitting electrode surface. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110303548 | Silicides for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting and/or the Production of Electricity - The invention relates to a method for the photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen and oxygen and for the simultaneously or separately conducted photoelectrical/photovoltaic production of electricity, characterized in that water is brought into contact with silicides, while applying light at the same time, or the contact with water can be foregone if electricity is produced exclusively. The invention enables the production of hydrogen and oxygen in a simple way directly from water, wherein the use of UV light and cost-intensive catalysts can be foregone. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110308962 | Bio-Energy Reactor - A system includes an ionic exchange conduit through which a flow of photosynthetic biomass is drawn capturing an electrical charge which is used to alternately power a photonic activated reservoir housing a living photosynthetic biomass suspended in a flowing liquid medium which self generates an electrical charge as it migrates towards and through a cathode separated from an anode by a membrane. Upon electrical transfer through the circuit an electrolysis process begins and releases hydrogen and oxygen into enclosed atmosphere chambers where these separated gases can be captured for use in a fuel cell. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120103825 | ANTI-REFLECTIVE NANOPOROUS SILICON FOR EFFICIENT HYDROGEN PRODUCTION - Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of anti-reflective nanoporous silicon for efficient hydrogen production by photoelectrolysis of water. A nanoporous black Si is disclosed as an efficient photocathode for H | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120125780 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING HYDROGEN GAS USING RENEWABLE ENERGY - A hydrogen generation system has a transparent cover and has a photovoltaic panel in the vessel. The photovoltaic panel generates the electricity for powering the electrolysis process. The photovoltaic panel may be submerged in the electrolyte solution, which acts to concentrate light rays onto the panel. The photovoltaic panel may have a protective coating that both protects the photovoltaic structures, as well as increases conversion efficiency. Other structures, such as the cover, may be configured to further concentrate light rays onto the panel. In some examples, oxygen gas may also be collected, stored, and used. The generation system may also use an external electricity source for powering the electrolysis process when insufficient electricity is produced by the internal photovoltaic cell. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125781 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR SYNTHESIS OF HYDROGEN FUEL - The invention provides new methods and compositions for synthesizing hydrogen fuel using simple and inexpensive materials. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120132535 | STABILITY CONTROL OF A HYDROGEN GENERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of and apparatus for efficient on-demand production of H | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120168318 | GAS GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING GAS - A gas generating device for generating an oxygen gas and/or a hydrogen gas from an electrolytic solution containing water, including an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, a plurality of through holes and a gas containing unit. The anode electrode (photocatalyst supporting electrode) has a photocatalyst-containing layer containing a photocatalyst producing an oxygen gas from the electrolytic solution by a photocatalytic reaction. The cathode electrode produces a hydrogen gas from electrons and hydrogen ions that are generated in the electrolytic solution by the photocatalytic reaction at the photocatalyst-containing layer. The through holes are formed on at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and the through holes allow the produced oxygen gas or hydrogen gas to pass therethrough, but do not allow the electrolytic solution to pass therethrough. The gas containing unit holds the oxygen gas or hydrogen gas that has passed through the through holes. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120205251 | NANOWIRE-NANOPARTICLE CONJUGATE PHOTOLYTIC FUEL GENERATORS - A method for generating hydrogen is disclosed. The method includes substantially submersing nanowires having metallic nanoparticles into water, exposing the water submerged nanowires to light, and collecting hydrogen gas produced by photolysis from the exposure to light. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120228146 | METHOD FOR REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE - A device for reducing carbon dioxide includes a cathode chamber including a cathode electrolyte solution and a cathode electrode, an anode chamber including an anode electrolyte solution and an anode electrode, and a solid electrolyte membrane. The anode electrode includes a nitride semiconductor region on which a metal layer is formed. The metal layer includes at least one of nickel and titanium. A method for reducing carbon dioxide by using a device for reducing carbon dioxide includes steps of providing carbon dioxide into the cathode solution, and irradiating at least part of the nitride semiconductor region and the metal layer with a light having a wavelength of 250 nanometers to 400 nanometers, thereby reducing the carbon dioxide contained in the cathode electrolyte solution. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120247969 | CONVERSION OF CARBON DIOXIDE TO ORGANIC PRODUCTS - The invention relates to various embodiments of an environmentally beneficial method for reducing carbon dioxide. The methods in accordance with the invention include electrochemically or photoelectrochemically reducing the carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode, e.g., an inert metal counterelectrode, in one cell compartment and a metal or p-type semiconductor cathode electrode in another cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst of one or more substituted or unsubstituted aromatic amines to produce therein a reduced organic product. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120273364 | ELECTROLYSIS VIA VERTICAL MULTI-JUNCTION PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL - Systems and methods that employ a vertical multi junction (VMJ) photovoltaic cell, to provide electrolysis for water and generate hydrogen and oxygen. Electrical current generated by the VMJ flows through the electrolyte (e.g., salt water) for a decomposition thereof (e.g., hydrogen and oxygen)—whenever threshold voltage of electrolysis operation is reached (e.g., 1.6 volts for water electrolysis). | 11-01-2012 |
| 20130001094 | Lanthanide-Mediated Water Splitting Process for Hydrogen and Oxygen Generation - The application generally relates to a process for generating hydrogen, oxygen or both from water. More particularly, the application generally relates to a lanthanide-mediated electrochemical and/or photoelectrochemical process for generating hydrogen, oxygen or both from water. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130001095 | METHOD OF PRODUCING COUPLED RADICAL PRODUCTS - A method that produces coupled radical products. The method involves obtaining a sodium salt of a carboxylic acid. The alkali metal salt is then used in an anolyte as part of an electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell may include an alkali ion conducting membrane (such as a NaSICON membrane) that separates an anolyte compartment housing the anolyte from a catholyte compartment housing a catholyte. The anolyte includes a first solvent or mixture of solvents and a quantity of the sodium salt of the carboxylic acid. When the cell is operated, the alkali metal salt of the carboxylic acid decarboxylates and forms radicals. Such radicals are then bonded to other radicals, thereby producing a coupled radical product such as a hydrocarbon. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130015076 | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING HYDROGENAANM Yoshida; AkihitoAACI Osaka-shiAACO JPAAGP Yoshida; Akihito Osaka-shi JPAANM Sata; ShunsukeAACI Osaka-shiAACO JPAAGP Sata; Shunsuke Osaka-shi JPAANM Kaga; MasakiAACI Osaka-shiAACO JPAAGP Kaga; Masaki Osaka-shi JP - There is provided a hydrogen production device which is high in the light use efficiency and can produce hydrogen with high efficiency without decreasing the hydrogen generation rate. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130037414 | CATALYST SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PHOTOLYSIS OF WATER - A monolithic catalyst system for the cleavage of water into hydrogen and oxygen with the aid of light comprises a first photoactive material capable by itself or together with one or more of an auxiliary material and an auxiliary catalyst of generating oxygen and protons from water, when irradiated with light having a wavelength ≧420 nm of generating oxygen and protons from water, and a second photoactive material selected from gallium arsenide, copper indium disulphide/selenide, copper indium gallium disulphide/selenide and cadmium sulphide/selenide/telluride and having a water resistant coating transparent to visible light capable of the reducing protons in water to hydrogen, when irradiated with visible light. The first photoactive material and the second photoactive material are supported on at least one substrate and are in electrical contact, particularly in direct electrical contact, exclusively via one or more electron-conducting materials. The first photoactive material is not silicon, a III-V semiconductor or II-VI semiconductor or II-VI semiconductor or similar semiconductor having divalent or trivalent cations and anions of the groups Va and VIa of the periodic table of elements or semiconductor which is comprised of elements of the groups Ib (copper group), IIa, and VI or another inorganic photoconductor which is used in photovoltaic. Also disclosed is a process for cleaving water into hydrogen and oxygen with the aid of light using the catalyst system. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130043138 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHEMICAL POTENTIAL ENERGY PRODUCTION - The present invention relates to a system comprising a heat source to provide heat at the desired temperature and energy field (e.g. a solar concentrator); an electron source configured and operable to emit electrons; an electric field generator generating an electric field adapted to supply energy sufficient to dissociate gas molecules; and a reaction gas chamber configured and operable to cause interaction between the electrons with the molecules, such that the electrons dissociate the molecules to product compound and ions via dissociative electrons attachment (DEA) within the chamber. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130062216 | METHOD FOR REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE - The present subject matter provides a method for reducing carbon dioxide with the use of a device for reducing carbon dioxide. The device includes a cathode chamber, an anode chamber and a solid electrolyte membrane. The cathode chamber includes a working electrode which includes a metal or a metal compound. The anode chamber includes a counter electrode which includes a region formed of a nitride semiconductor. First and second electrolytic solutions are held in the cathode and anode chamber, respectively. The working electrode and the counter electrode are in contact with the first and second electrolytic solution, respectively. The solid electrolyte membrane is interposed between the cathode and anode chambers. The first electrolyte solution contains the carbon dioxide. An electric source is not interposed electrically between the working electrode and the counter electrode. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130092549 | PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE ELECTROLYSIS USING WATER VAPOR AS A FEEDSTOCK - A light-driven electrolytic cell that uses water vapor as the feedstock and that has no wires or connections whatsoever to an external electrical power source of any kind. In one embodiment, the electrolytic cell uses a proton exchange membrane (PEM) with an IrRuO | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130098771 | Photoelectrochemical Synthesis of High Density Combinatorial Polymer Arrays - In a method for creating polymer arrays through photoelectrochemically modulated acid/base/radical generation for combinatorial synthesis, electrochemical synthesis is guided by a spatially modulated light source striking a semiconductor in an electrolyte solution. A substrate having at its surface at least one photoelectrode that is proximate to at least one molecule bearing at least one chemical functional group is provided, along with a reagent-generating chemistry co-localized with the chemical functional group and capable of generating reagents when subjected to a potential above a threshold. An input potential is then applied to the photoelectrode that exceeds the threshold in the presence of light and that does not exceed the threshold in the absence of light, causing the transfer of electrons to or from the substrate, and creating a patterned substrate. The process is repeated until a polymer array of desired size is created. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130098772 | Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Organic Products - The invention relates to various embodiments of an environmentally beneficial method for reducing carbon dioxide. The methods in accordance with the invention include electrochemically or photoelectrochemically reducing the carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode, e.g., an inert metal counterelectrode, in one cell compartment and a metal or p-type semiconductor cathode electrode in another cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst of one or more substituted or unsubstituted aromatic amines to produce therein a reduced organic product. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130112568 | METHOD FOR SYNTHESIZING AMMONIA - In the ammonia synthesis method, an anode and a cathode are arranged in an electrolyte phase at a predetermined interval; water (H | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130118906 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING CATALYTIC AND PHOTOCATALYTIC PROCESSES - A system for solar energy conversion includes a photoelectric cell. The photoelectric cell includes a cathode and an anode comprising a nanostructure array. The nanostructure array includes a semiconductor photocatalyst; and a plasmon resonant metal nanostructure film arranged on the semiconductor photocatalyst. The system is used in a method to produce methane by placing a photocatalytic cell in an environment containing CO | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130118907 | METHOD FOR REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE - A method for reducing carbon dioxide utilizes a carbon dioxide reduction device including a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, a solid electrolyte membrane, a cathode electrode and anode electrode. The cathode electrode includes indium or indium compound. The anode electrode includes a region formed of a nitride semiconductor layer where an Al | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130126359 | METHOD FOR REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE - A method for reducing carbon dioxide utilizes a carbon dioxide reduction device including a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, a solid electrolyte membrane, a cathode electrode and anode electrode. The cathode electrode includes copper or copper compound. The anode electrode includes a region formed of a nitride semiconductor layer where an Al | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130134046 | Method of Increasing Hydrogen Production by Infrared Electrolysis - A device and method is provided for increasing production of hydrogen during electrolysis. Initially, one of the vibrational modes of an electrolytic fluid is determined. A laser is then tuned to a wavelength near the selected vibrational mode. The tuned laser is then applied to the electrolytic fluid during electrolysis. The application of the laser with a wavelength near the wavelength of a specific vibrational mode of the electrolytic fluid causes an increase in the rate of production of hydrogen, when compared to electrolysis alone. The specific vibrational mode may correspond to a mode that stretches the inter-atomic bonds of hydrogen in the electrolytic fluid. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130175180 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INCREASING SOLAR HYDROGEN CONVERSION EFFICIENCY IN PHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTROLYSIS - Devices and methods for photovoltaic electrolysis are disclosed. A device comprises a photovoltaic cell element and an electrolysis compartment. The photovoltaic cell element is configured to convert a portion of solar energy into electrical energy and to pass another portion of the solar energy. The electrolysis compartment includes an aqueous electrolyte positioned to receive the other portion of the solar energy and electrodes electrically connected to receive the electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic cell element. A method comprises receiving solar energy with a photovoltaic cell element, converting a portion of the solar energy into electrical energy, passing another portion of the solar energy through the photovoltaic cell element, receiving with an aqueous electrolyte the other portion of the solar energy, transmitting the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic cell element to a pair of electrodes, and electrolyzing the aqueous electrolyte with the pair of electrodes. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130180862 | HYDROGEN PRODUCTION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN - A hydrogen production device of the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion portion having a light-receiving surface and a back surface, a first electrolysis electrode provided on the back surface, and a second electrolysis electrode provided on the back surface. As a result of reception of light by the photoelectric conversion portion, a potential difference is generated between a first area on the back surface and a second area on the back surface, the first area becomes electrically connected to the first electrolysis electrode, and the second area becomes electrically connected to the second electrolysis electrode. When the first electrolysis electrode and the second electrolysis electrode contact an electrolyte solution, the first electrolysis electrode forms a hydrogen generation portion that generates H | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130186768 | ARTICLES, DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR SOLAR ENERGY STORAGE AND/OR UTILIZATION - The present invention generally relates to articles, devices, systems, and methods relating to the storage of solar energy and/or solar energy utilization. In some embodiments, the articles, devices, and systems may be used to carry out photocatalytic reactions, for example, the photocatalytic production of oxygen and/or hydrogen gases from water. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130220822 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CATALYSIS - A catalyst comprising a first conjugated polymer material that forms an interface with a second material, wherein charge is separated from photo excited species generated in one or both of the first and second materials and subsequently participates in a reaction, electro-catalytic reactions or redox reactions. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130256147 | SOLAR FUELS GENERATOR - The solar fuels generator includes an ionically conductive separator between a gaseous first phase and a second phase. A photoanode uses one or more components of the first phase to generate cations during operation of the solar fuels generator. A cation conduit is positioned provides a pathway along which the cations travel from the photoanode to the separator. The separator conducts the cations. A second solid cation conduit conducts the cations from the separator to a photocathode. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20140034505 | Ruthenium or Osmium Complexes and Their Uses as Catalysts for Water Oxidation - The present invention provides ruthenium or osmium complexes and their uses as a catalyst for catalytic water oxidation. Another aspect of the invention provides an electrode and photo-electrochemical cells for electrolysis of water molecules. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140061057 | LIGHT-DRIVEN HYDROIODIC ACID SPLITTING FROM SEMICONDUCTIVE FUEL GENERATOR - This disclosure relates to photovoltaic and photoelectrosynthetic cells, devices, methods of making and using the same. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140102912 | HYBRID METAL OXIDE CYCLE WATER SPLITTING - Hybrid thermochemical water splitting cycles are provided in which thermally reduced metal oxides particles are used to displace some but not all of the electrical requirements in a water splitting electrolytic cell. In these hybrid cycles, the thermal reduction temperature is significantly reduced compared to two-step metal-oxide thermochemical cycles in which only thermal energy is required to produce hydrogen from water. Also, unlike the conventional higher temperature cycles where the reduction step must be carried out under reduced oxygen pressure, the reduction step in the proposed hybrid cycles can be carried out in air, allowing for thermal input by a solar power tower with a windowless, cavity receiver. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140183053 | METHOD OF PRODUCING COUPLED RADICAL PRODUCTS VIA DESULFOXYLATION - A method that produces coupled radical products. The method involves obtaining a sodium salt of a sulfonic acid (R—SO | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140209478 | Artificial Photosynthetic System Using Photocatalyst - A photosynthetic system for splitting water to produce hydrogen and using the produced hydrogen for the reduction of carbon dioxide into methane is disclosed. The disclosed photosynthetic system employs photoactive materials that include photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals within their composition, in order to harvest sunlight and obtain the energy necessary for water splitting and subsequent carbon dioxide reduction processes. The photosynthetic system may also include elements necessary to transfer water produced in the carbon dioxide reduction process, for subsequent use in water splitting process. The systems may also include elements necessary to store oxygen and collect and transfer methane, for subsequent transformation of methane into energy. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140262806 | Method for Increasing Efficiency of Semiconductor Photocatalysts - A method and composition for producing a photoactive material including photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals (PCCN) and plasmonic nanoparticles are disclosed. The PCCN may include a semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis and an exchange of organic capping agents with inorganic capping agents. Additionally, the PCCN may be deposited between the plasmonic nanoparticles, and may act as photocatalysts for redox reactions. The photoactive material may be used in a plurality of photocatalytic energy conversion applications, such as water splitting and CO | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140318978 | PHOTOACTIVE ARTICLE, PROCESS FOR MAKING, AND USE OF SAME - A photoactive article includes a substrate including a semiconductor to absorb light and to produce a plurality of charge carriers; a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate; a conductive member disposed on the dielectric layer and opposing the substrate such that the dielectric layer is exposed by the conductive member, the conductive member to receive a portion of the plurality of charge carriers from the substrate; and an electrolyte disposed on the dielectric layer and the conductive member. Making a photoactive article includes forming a dielectric layer on a substrate by rapid thermal oxidation, the dielectric layer comprising an oxide of a semiconductor; and forming a conductive member disposed on the dielectric layer. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140318979 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR THE ELECTROCHEMICAL GENERATION OF OXYGEN AND/OR HYDROGEN - The invention provides methods for producing hydrogen and oxygen, comprising the steps of: (i) oxidising a mediator at a working electrode to yield an oxidised mediator, and reducing protons at a counter electrode to yield hydrogen; and (ii) reducing an oxidised mediator at a working electrode to yield a mediator, and oxidising water at a counter electrode to yield oxygen. wherein the oxygen generation step is performed non-simultaneously to the hydrogen generation step, and the oxidised mediator of step (i) is used as the oxidised mediator of step (ii), or the mediator of step (ii) is used as the mediator of step (i), and the mediator has a reversible redox wave lying between the onset of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140318980 | PHOTOCONVERSION OF LIGHT USING METAL SUPPORTED ATOMIC QUANTUM CLUSTERS - The present invention discloses the use of a metal nanoparticle which comprises at least one semiconductor attached to it, wherein the at least one semiconductor is an atomic quantum cluster (AQC) consisting of between 2 and 55 zero-valent transition metal atoms, as photocatalysts in photocatalytic processes and applications thereof. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140346053 | CARBON DIOXIDE REDUCING METHOD, CARBON DIOXIDE REDUCING CELL, AND CARBON DIOXIDE REDUCING APPARATUS - The carbon dioxide reducing method using light includes: (a) preparing a carbon dioxide reducing cell including: a cathode chamber that holds first electrolytic solution containing carbon dioxide; an anode chamber that holds second electrolytic solution; a proton exchange membrane inserted between the cathode and anode chambers; a cathode set inside the cathode chamber to contact the first electrolytic solution, and the cathode having copper, gold, silver, indium, etc. on the cathode; and an anode set inside the anode chamber to contact the second electrolytic solution, the anode having first semiconductor layer constituted by nitride semiconductor including Al | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140360883 | PHOTOELECTRODE USED FOR CARBON DIOXIDE REDUCTION AND METHOD FOR REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE USING THE PHOTOELECTRODE - Disclosed is an anode electrode including a nitride semiconductor layer. This nitride semiconductor layer includes an Al | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140367271 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALCOHOL - Disclosed is a method for producing an alcohol using a device for reducing carbon dioxide by light energy. In this device, a cathode electrode includes copper or a copper compound, and an anode electrode includes a region including a nitride semiconductor layer in which an Al | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140374270 | ELECTRODE FOR WATER-SPLITTING REACTION AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - The present invention provides an electrode for water-splitting reaction that is capable of increasing conductive path between a photocatalyst layer and a current collecting layer without inhibiting light absorption by photocatalyst, which comprises: a photocatalyst layer | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150008137 | METHOD AND DEVICE OF CARBON-DIOXIDE DECOMPOSITION - In this proposal, we provide a highly original solution to resolve/decompose carbon dioxide into useful by-products which provide industrial values to businesses around the world and meanwhile carbon emission control is the most importance. By taking high energy of light particles from Ultraviolet light, our innovational equation, (uv)+CO | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150014180 | ELECTROCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF NITRO-CHITOSAN - The present disclosure provides methods for producing chitosan derivatives and the derivatives formed by these methods. The processes of the present disclosure utilize electrochemical methods to functionalize and/or modify amine and/or hydroxyl groups present on chitosan, to form new derivatives. In embodiments, a nitro-chitosan derivative may be prepared. The altered cationic affinity of these derivatives make them excellent candidates for environmental applications, including water and waste treatments, and fertilizers. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150047985 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USING SOLAR RADIATION IN ELECTROLYSIS PROCESS - A solar-driven apparatus is provided having: a cavity having at least one optical window for collecting electromagnetic radiation associated with solar energy impinging on said at least one optical window; a reaction assembly located inside the cavity and adapted to enable carrying out electrolysis process of at least one raw fluid utilizing energy derived partially from the solar radiation and partially from an electric source; one or more ingress units operative to allow introduction of the raw fluid into the apparatus; and one or more egress units operative to allow exit of the electrolysis process' products from the solar driven apparatus. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150053568 | HETEROJUNCTION ELEVATED-TEMPERATURE PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - A solid-state PEC includes mixed ionic and electronic conducting oxides that allow it to operate at temperatures significantly above ambient utilizing both the light and thermal energy available from concentrated sunlight to dissociate water vapor. The solid-state PEC has a semiconductor light absorber coated with a thin MIEC oxide for improved catalytic activity, electrochemical stability and ionic conduction, which is located between the gas phase and the semiconductor light absorber. As a result, the MIEC oxide provides a facile path for minority carriers to reach the water vapor as well as a path for the ionic carriers to reach the solid electrolyte. Elevated temperature operation allows reasonable band misalignments at the interfaces to be overcome, reduces the required overpotential, and facilitates rapid product diffusion away from the surface. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150068915 | PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELL, SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR LIGHT-DRIVEN PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN WITH A PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELL, AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - The invention relates to a photoelectrochemical cell | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150083605 | SEMICONDUCTOR PHOTOELECTRODE AND METHOD FOR SPLITTING WATER PHOTOELECTROCHEMICALLY USING PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CELL COMPRISING THE SAME - Provided is a semiconductor photoelectrode comprising a conductive substrate; a first semiconductor photocatalyst layer provided on a surface of the conductive substrate; a second semiconductor photocatalyst layer provided on a surface of the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer. The semiconductor photoelectrode has a plurality of pillar protrusions on the surface thereof. A surface of each of the pillar protrusions is formed of the second semiconductor photocatalyst layer. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150114843 | ELECTROCATALYTIC HYDROGEN PRODUCTION PROMOTED BY VISIBLE LIGHT - A method for the photoelectrocatalytic production of hydrogen and oxygen from water, is carried out by: (a) providing a photohydride proton reduction catalyst and a photoanode having water oxidation catalyst operatively associated therewith, both in an aquous electrolyte solution,wherein the photohydride proton reduction catalyst comprises a single-component light absorbing catalytic metal complex of the formula AXB, wherein A is a coordinated aromatic group, X is a metal, and B is a bidentate organic ligand; and (b) illuminating the photoanode and the photohydride proton reduction catalyst with visible light to generate O | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150322579 | Synergistic Oxygen Evolving Activity of Non-Stoichiometric Surfaces - Provided are systems that comprises an oxygen-metal catalyst, which systems can be used to perform water-splitting or other reactions. The systems can be operated in a photochemical manner. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150329976 | METHOD FOR GENERATING HYDROGEN AND HYDROGEN GENERATION DEVICE USED THEREFOR - Provided is a method for generating hydrogen. The method comprising (a) preparing a hydrogen generation device comprising a container, a photo-semiconductor electrode comprising a substrate, a light-blocking first conductive layer, and a first semiconductor photocatalyst layer, a counter electrode, a conductive wire for electrically connecting the first conductive layer to the counter electrode, and a liquid stored in the container, and (b) irradiating the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer with light to generate hydrogen on the counter electrode. The first conductive layer is interposed between the substrate and the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer. At least a part of the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer is in contact with the liquid. At least a part of the counter electrode is in contact with the liquid. The liquid is selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte aqueous solution and water. The substrate is formed of a resin. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150361566 | SYNTHESIS OF HIGH-SURFACE-AREA NANOPOROUS BIVO4 ELECTRODES - Photoelectrochemical materials and photoelectrodes comprising the materials are provided. The photoelectrochemical materials comprise a porous, high-surface-area BiVO | 12-17-2015 |
| 20160024664 | METHODS FOR PRODUCING HYDROGEN USING NANOPARTICLE-CATALYST MIXTURES - Methods for producing hydrogen using nanoparticles, a catalyst, and a source of electrons, such as bacteria and their nutrient source in a biological system, are carried out in an aqueous medium. The nanoparticles may be doped with a plurality of isovalent and/or non-isovalent dopants. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160040303 | Techniques for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation - Techniques for photocatalytic hydrogen generation are provided. In one aspect, a hydrogen producing cell is provided. The hydrogen producing cell includes an anode electrode; a photocatalytic material adjacent to the anode electrode; a solid electrolyte adjacent to a side of the photocatalytic material opposite the anode electrode; and a cathode electrode adjacent to a side of the solid electrolyte opposite the photocatalytic material. A solar hydrogen producing system including at least one solar concentrating assembly having the hydrogen producing cell, and a method for producing hydrogen using the hydrogen producing cell are also provided. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160040306 | ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING GLUCOSE - An electrochemical process and system for producing glucose and glucose precursors are described. The process and system allow for the production of glucose from carbon dioxide and water, requiring only melanin, or a precursor, derivative, analog, or variant of melanin, and electromagnetic energy, such as visible or invisible light energy. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160060770 | METHOD FOR REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE - In a carbon dioxide reduction method according to the present disclose, used is a carbon dioxide reduction device comprising a cathode container in which a first electrolyte containing carbon dioxide is stored, an anode container in which a second electrolyte is stored, a solid electrolyte membrane, a condenser, a cathode electrode having a metal or a metal compound on the surface thereof, and anode electrode having a region formed of a nitride semiconductor layer in which a GaN layer and an Al | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160060773 | METHOD FOR REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE AND DEVICE USED THEREFOR - A method for reducing carbon dioxide is provided. In the present method, used is an anode electrode comprises a stacked structure of a photoelectric conversion layer, a metal layer, and an In | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160122883 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A PHOTOCATALYTIC AND ELECTROCATALYTIC COPOLYMER - A method and apparatus for a photocatalytic and electrolytic catalyst includes in various aspects one or more catalysts, a method for forming a catalyst, an electrolytic cell, and a reaction method. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160201218 | METHOD FOR FABRICATING SINGLE-CRYSTALLINE NIOBIUM OXYNITRIDE FILM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING HYDROGEN USING SINGLE-CRYSTALLINE NIOBIUM OXYNITRIDE FILM | 07-14-2016 |
