Method and apparatus for facilitating a chemical reaction

Abstract

A method of facilitating a chemical reaction includes raising a temperature of a protective layer covering a catalyst in the presence of a chemical solution.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A fuel pellet comprising: 
 a chemical solution;    a heating element; and    a chemical catalyst covered by a protective layer isolating said chemical catalyst from said chemical solution at ambient temperatures.    
   
   
       25 . The pellet of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of compartmentalized fuel pellets, wherein each of said plurality of compartmentalized fuel pellets comprises a separate chemical solution, heating element, and chemical catalyst covered by a protective layer.  
   
   
       26 . The pellet of  claim 25 , wherein each fuel pellet is independently operable by selectively activating said heating elements.  
   
   
       27 . The pellet of  claim 25 , wherein said heating elements further comprise resistive heating elements.  
   
   
       28 . The pellet of  claim 25 , wherein said chemical solution comprises a metal borohydride.  
   
   
       29 . The pellet of  claim 28 , wherein said metal borohydride is a sodium borohydride solution.  
   
   
       30 . The pellet of  claim 25 , wherein said protective coating comprises a heat-removable layer.  
   
   
       31 . The pellet of  claim 30 , wherein said heat-removable layer comprises wax, polymers, or copolymers of olefins.  
   
   
       32 - 34 . (canceled)  
   
   
       35 . A fuel cell cartridge comprising: 
 a hydrogen fuel source in the presence of a catalyst;    wherein said catalyst is insulated from said hydrogen fuel source by a heat-sensitive protective coating; and    a heating element for removing said heat-sensitive protective coating on demand.    
   
   
       36 . The cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said heating element is a resistive heating element.  
   
   
       37 . The cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said hydrogen fuel source is separated into a plurality of individual cells, each of said plurality of individual cells comprising a catalyst insulated from said hydrogen fuel source by a protective coating, and each of said plurality of individual cells comprising a heating element.  
   
   
       38 . The cartridge of  claim 37 , wherein each of said plurality of individual cells comprises a cover layer with an initiator, said initiator predisposed to open at above-ambient temperatures or pressures to release hydrogen gas produced in said individual cells.  
   
   
       39 . The cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said hydrogen fuel source is an aqueous sodium borohydride solution.  
   
   
       40 . The cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said catalyst and said heat-sensitive protective coating are generally planar or spherical.  
   
   
       41 . A fuel cell apparatus comprising: 
 an anode;    a cathode;    an electrolyte disposed between said anode and said cathode;    a hydrogen fuel source in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst insulated from said hydrogen fuel source by a heat-sensitive protective coating; and    a heating element for removing said heat-sensitive protective coating on demand.    
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said heating element comprises a resistive heating element.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein said hydrogen fuel source is divided into cells, and wherein each cell includes one or more of said heating element and said catalyst insulated by said protective coating.  
   
   
       44 . An electronic device comprising: 
 a fuel cell;    a hydrogen generating system; and    an electrical load;    wherein said hydrogen generating system comprises a hydrogen-bearing chemical solution in the presence of a catalyst, said catalyst being insulated from said hydrogen-bearing chemical solution by a protective coating at ambient temperatures, and a heating element for removing said protective coating insulating said catalyst from said chemical solution.    
   
   
       45 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein said hydrogen generating system further comprises a cover with an initiator predisposed to open at elevated temperatures or pressures to release hydrogen gas when said protective layer is removed from said catalyst.  
   
   
       46 . The device of  claim 44 , further comprising a plurality of cells containing said chemical solution, wherein each of said plurality of cells includes one or more of said catalyst insulated by said protective coating and one or more of said heating element.  
   
   
       47 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein each heating element of said plurality of cells is separately controllable.  
   
   
       48 . A hydrogen generating apparatus comprising: 
 means for compartmentalizing a hydrogen-bearing fuel source;    means for catalyzing said hydrogen-bearing fuel source;    means for insulating said means for catalyzing from said hydrogen-bearing fuel source at ambient temperatures; and    means for removing said means for insulating.    
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , further comprising means for providing hydrogen produced from said hydrogen-bearing fuel source to a fuel cell.  
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein said means for providing comprise a cover layer with an initiator, said initiator predisposed to open at above-ambient temperatures or pressures to release hydrogen gas produced in said means for compartmentalizing.  
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said means for removing comprises one or more thin film heating elements.  
   
   
       52 - 72 . (canceled)