Title: Degenerate doping of metallic anodes

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to an electrochemical cell comprising: (i) a fuel electrode comprising a metal fuel, (ii) a positive electrode, (iii) an ionically conductive medium, and (iv) a dopant; the electrodes being operable in a discharge mode wherein the metal fuel is oxidized at the fuel electrode and the dopant increases the conductivity of the metal fuel oxidation product. In an embodiment, the oxidation product comprises an oxide of the metal fuel which is doped degenerately. In an embodiment, the positive electrode is an air electrode that absorbs gaseous oxygen, wherein during discharge mode, oxygen is reduced at the air electrode. Embodiments of the invention also relate to methods of producing an electrode comprising a metal and a doped metal oxidation product.

Inventors:

Friesen, Cody A; Zeller, Robert A; Johnson, Paul B; Switzer, Elise E

Issue Date:

Tue May 12 00:00:00 EDT 2015

Research Org.:

Fluidic, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1179230

Patent Number(s):

9029027

Application Number:

14/044,813

Assignee:

Fluidic, Inc. (Scottsdale, AZ)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

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H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M12/08 - composed of a half-cell of a fuel-cell type and a half-cell of the secondary-cell type
H01M4/42 - Alloys based on zinc
H01M4/463 - {Aluminium based}
H01M4/628 - {Inhibitors, e.g. gassing inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/10 - Energy storage

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DOE Contract Number:  

AR-00000038

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2013 Oct 02

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION