Electrochemical device and methods for energy conversion

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrochemical device. The device features an anode constructed of materials such that the device can be chemically recharged. In addition, the device is capable of switching between operating as a fuel cell or as a battery. The switch can occur without cessation of electrical output. In certain aspects of the invention, the device is capable of operating at a temperature of less than 1000° C. Other aspects feature a liquid anode which allows higher output, dispersion of fuel and minimal stresses in an interface comprising the anode. Preferably the anode is a liquid at a temperature of less than 1000° C. The invention also relates to methods for energy conversion in which a continual electrical output can be produced in both the presence of fuel without anode consumption or the absence of fuel.

1 - 103 . (canceled) 
     
     
         104 . An electrochemical device comprising:
 a battery comprising an anode;   wherein the battery can be converted into a fuel cell by supplying, to the anode, a fuel comprising a material different from the anode, the anode comprising a liquid metal during operation of the electrochemical device.   
     
     
         105 . The device of  claim 104 , wherein the anode is chemically rechargeable. 
     
     
         106 . A method for energy conversion, comprising:
 providing a battery; and   supplying a fuel to an anode in the battery, the fuel being of a different material than the anode, the anode comprising a liquid metal during operation of the battery.   
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the step of supplying the fuel to the anode causes the battery to switch to a fuel cell. 
     
     
         108 . A method for energy conversion, comprising:
 providing a fuel cell; and   switching the fuel cell to a battery by ceasing a supply of a fuel to an anode in the fuel cell, the anode comprising a liquid metal during operation of the battery.   
     
     
         109 - 113 . (canceled) 
     
     
         114 . The device of  claim 104 , wherein the anode comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, molybdenum, mercury, iridium, palladium, antimony, rhenium, bismuth, platinum, silver, arsenic, rhodium, tellurium, selenium, osmium, gold, lead, germanium, tin, indium, thallium, cadmium, gadolinium, chromium nickel, iron, tungsten, vanadium, manganese, cobalt, and zinc. 
     
     
         115 . The device of  claim 104 , wherein the anode comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of antimony, indium, tin, bismuth, mercury, and lead. 
     
     
         116 . The device of  claim 104 , wherein the device is operable at a temperature from about 300° C. to about 1500° C. 
     
     
         117 . The device of  claim 104 , wherein the battery produces electricity in the absence of fuel by oxidizing the anode and the battery produces electricity in the presence of fuel without anode consumption. 
     
     
         118 . The device of  claim 104 , wherein the device further comprises a solid-state electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode. 
     
     
         119 . The device of  claim 118 , wherein the device is self-repairing. 
     
     
         120 . The device of  claim 119 , wherein the anode further comprises a sealant precursor able to seal a flaw in a solid state electrolyte, when exposed to oxygen. 
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the anode comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, molybdenum, mercury, iridium, palladium, antimony, rhenium, bismuth, platinum, silver, arsenic, rhodium, tellurium, selenium, osmium, gold, lead, germanium, tin, indium, thallium, cadmium, gadolinium, chromium nickel, iron, tungsten, vanadium, manganese, cobalt, and zinc. 
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the anode comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of antimony, indium, tin, bismuth, mercury, and lead. 
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein, in the absence of fuel, the battery produces electricity by oxidizing the anode. 
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein, in the presence of the supplied fuel, the battery produces electricity without anode consumption. 
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein exposure of the anode to the fuel causes the anode to be chemically recharged. 
     
     
         126 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the battery further comprising a solid-state electrolyte in ionic communication with the anode. 
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein the battery is able to produce electricity at a temperature from about 300° C. to about 1500° C. 
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the anode comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, molybdenum, mercury, iridium, palladium, antimony, rhenium, bismuth, platinum, silver, arsenic, rhodium, tellurium, selenium, osmium, gold, lead, germanium, tin, indium, thallium, cadmium, gadolinium, chromium nickel, iron, tungsten, vanadium, manganese, cobalt, and zinc. 
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein the anode comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of antimony, indium, tin, bismuth, mercury, and lead.