Electrochemical cells

Abstract

An electrochemical cell includes a hydrogen generator and a hydrogen fuel cell.

1 . An electrochemical cell capable of providing electrical current, comprising: 
 an electrochemical hydrogen generator including: 
 a first cathode which generates hydrogen gas via an electrolytic reaction, and  
 a first anode adjacent to the first cathode;  
   a hydrogen fuel cell including: 
 a second anode which oxidizes hydrogen gas, and  
 a second cathode adjacent to the second anode;  
   an electrical conductor external of the electrochemical cell for providing the electrical current to a load external of the electrochemical cell;    wherein the first anode is electrically connected to the second cathode, and the first cathode is electrically connected to the second anode.    
   
   
       2 . An electrochemical cell capable of providing electrical current, comprising an electrochemical hydrogen generator that generates hydrogen gas electrolytically, in series electrical connection with a hydrogen fuel cell, 
 the electrochemical cell also comprising an electrical conductor external of the electrochemical cell for providing current generated by the electrochemical cell to a load external of the electrochemical cell.    
   
   
       3 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the electrochemical hydrogen generator comprises a first cathode which generates hydrogen gas and a first anode adjacent to the first cathode.  
   
   
       4 . The cell of  claim 3 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell includes a second anode which oxidizes hydrogen gas and a second cathode adjacent to the second anode.  
   
   
       5 . The cell of  claim 4 , wherein the first anode is electrically connected to the second cathode and wherein the first cathode is electrically connected to the second anode.  
   
   
       6 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell includes a second anode which oxidizes hydrogen gas and a second cathode which is adjacent to the second anode.  
   
   
       7 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen generator includes a gas outlet, and wherein the hydrogen fuel cell includes a gas inlet in fluid communication with the gas outlet.  
   
   
       8 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen generator comprises a first housing.  
   
   
       9 . The cell of  claim 8 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell comprises a second housing.  
   
   
       10 . The cell of  claim 9 , wherein the first housing is releasably engageable with the second housing.  
   
   
       11 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell and the hydrogen generator are disposed within a single housing.  
   
   
       12 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen generator comprises a hydrogen-generating anode.  
   
   
       13 . The cell of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrogen-generating anode comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, and tin.  
   
   
       14 . The cell of  claim 12 , wherein the hydrogen-generating anode comprises a hydrogen storage composition.  
   
   
       15 . The cell of  claim 14 , wherein the hydrogen storage composition is a metal hydride or a misch metal alloy.  
   
   
       16 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell comprises an acidic polymer membrane electrolyte.  
   
   
       17 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell comprises an acidic polymer membrane electrolyte.  
   
   
       18 . The cell of  claim 2 , further comprising a controller.  
   
   
       19 . The cell of  claim 17 , further comprising a sensor.  
   
   
       20 . A method of generating an electrical current comprising: 
 (a) forming an electrical connection between a first anode of an electrochemical hydrogen generator in which hydrogen gas is generated electrolytically and a second cathode of a hydrogen fuel cell;    (b) forming an electrical connection between a first cathode of the electrochemical hydrogen generator and a second anode of the hydrogen fuel cell; and    (c) providing the electrical current generated as a result of the electrical connections formed in (a) and (b) to a load.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first cathode generates hydrogen gas, and the first anode is adjacent to the first cathode.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the second anode oxidizes hydrogen gas, and the second cathode is adjacent to the second anode.  
   
   
       23 . A method of generating an electrical current comprising: 
 (a) generating a first electron from an oxidation half cell of an electrochemical hydrogen generator in which hydrogen gas is generated electrolytically    (b) transmitting the first electron to a reduction half cell of a hydrogen fuel cell, and    (c) providing the electrical current generated in part because of (a) and (b) to a load.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising transmitting a second electron from an oxidation half cell of the hydrogen fuel cell to a reduction half cell of the hydrogen generator.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising generating hydrogen from the hydrogen generator and oxidizing the generated hydrogen at the fuel cell.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising transmitting the generated hydrogen to the fuel cell through a conduit fluidly connecting the hydrogen generator and the fuel cell.