Title: Microfluidic electrochemical reactors

Abstract

A microfluidic electrochemical reactor includes an electrode and one or more microfluidic channels on the electrode, where the microfluidic channels are covered with a membrane containing a gas permeable polymer. The distance between the electrode and the membrane is less than 500 micrometers. The microfluidic electrochemical reactor can provide for increased reaction rates in electrochemical reactions using a gaseous reactant, as compared to conventional electrochemical cells. Microfluidic electrochemical reactors can be incorporated into devices for applications such as fuel cells, electrochemical analysis, microfluidic actuation, pH gradient formation.

Inventors:

Nuzzo, Ralph G ^[1]; Mitrovski, Svetlana M ^[2]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Champaign, IL
2. Urbana, IL

Issue Date:

2011-03-22

Research Org.:

Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1016354

Patent Number(s):

7909971

Application Number:

US Patent Application 11/074,596

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (Urbana, IL)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

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

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G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N27/3271 - {Amperometric enzyme electrodes for analytes in body fluids, e.g. glucose in blood

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

H01M4/8605 - {Porous electrodes}
H01M4/8626 - {characterised by the form}
H01M4/8896 - {Pressing, rolling, calendering
H01M8/026 - characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
H01M8/1004 - characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA]
H01M8/1018 - Polymeric electrolyte materials
H01M8/1037 - having silicon, e.g. sulfonated crosslinked polydimethylsiloxanes
H01M8/1067 - characterised by their physical properties, e.g. porosity, ionic conductivity or thickness
H01M8/1088 - Chemical modification, e.g. sulfonation
H01M8/1097 - Fuel cells applied on a support, e.g. miniature fuel cells deposited on silica supports
H01M8/241 - with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes

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

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P70/50 - Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG02-91ER45439

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

42 ENGINEERING