A nanofluid contact potential difference cell includes a cathode with a lower work function and an anode with a higher work function separated by a nanometer-scale spaced inter-electrode gap containing a nanofluid with intermediate work function nanoparticle clusters. The cathode comprises a refractory layer and a thin film of electrosprayed dipole nanoparticle clusters partially covering a surface of the refractory layer. A thermal power source, placed in thermal contact with the cathode, to drive an electrical current through an electrical circuit connecting the cathode and anode with an external electrical load in between. A switch is configured to intermittently connect the anode and the cathode to maintain non-equilibrium between a first current from the cathode to the anode and a second current from the anode to the cathode.

A nanofluid contact potential difference cell includes a cathode with a lower work function and an anode with a higher work function separated by a nanometer-scale spaced inter-electrode gap containing a nanofluid with intermediate work function nanoparticle clusters. The cathode comprises a refractory layer and a thin film of electrosprayed dipole nanoparticle clusters partially covering a surface of the refractory layer. A thermal power source, placed in thermal contact with the cathode, to drive an electrical current through an electrical circuit connecting the cathode and anode with an external electrical load in between. A switch is configured to intermittently connect the anode and the cathode to maintain non-equilibrium between a first current from the cathode to the anode and a second current from the anode to the cathode.

A method for predicting an onset of a capacity fading in a battery includes measuring, over a period of time, a plurality of parameters related to charging and discharging cycles of the battery; detecting, based on the measured plurality of parameters, the onset of the capacity fade in the battery; and providing a notification on the electronic device indicating the detected onset of the capacity fade.

An energy conversion device for conversion of chemical energy into electricity. The energy conversion device has a first and second electrode. A substrate is present that has a porous semiconductor or dielectric layer placed thereover. The porous semiconductor or dielectric layer can be a nano-engineered structure. A porous catalyst material is placed on at least a portion of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer such that at least some of the porous catalyst material enters the nano-engineered structure of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer, thereby forming an intertwining region.

An energy conversion device for conversion of chemical energy into electricity. The energy conversion device has a first and second electrode. A substrate is present that has a porous semiconductor or dielectric layer placed thereover. The porous semiconductor or dielectric layer can be a nano-engineered structure. A porous catalyst material is placed on at least a portion of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer such that at least some of the porous catalyst material enters the nano-engineered structure of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer, thereby forming an intertwining region.

A simple short-time method for modifying a fluorine resin film so that hydrophilicity is not likely to deteriorate over time. The method for modifying a fluorine resin film is characterized in that the surface of the fluorine resin film is provided with hydrophilicity by bringing the fluorine resin film into contact with a process gas, which contains gas containing fluorine atoms and at least one of gas containing oxygen atoms or inert gas.

An object is to provide a sensor capable of operating on a self-sustaining power source.

A sensor comprising a system, the system including: a first conductive part and a second conductive part; a medium; and a functional part, the first conductive part and the functional part being connected to each other, the second conductive part and the functional part being connected to each other, at least a part of the first conductive part and the second conductive part being in contact with the medium, and the first conductive part and the second conductive part being not in contact with each other, and the sensor being configured to detect that internal impedance of the system satisfies a predetermined condition.

This invention describes an affordable, renewable, sustainable (ARS) system to produce electricity, comprising a zinc air fuel cell (ZAFC) and photovoltaic cell. This ZAFC produces electricity operating in the pH range of 6.5-8.5 such that the primary waste species in the electrolyte are zinc cations of Zn.sup.+2 and ZnOH.sup.+. These cations are reduced by electrons from photovoltaic cells, and this ZAFC is easily rechargeable with a photovoltaic cell, and it can be overcharged. Also the electrolyte can be separated from the cell, and plating with photo reduction of zinc occurs rapidly on graphite, copper, or zinc cathodes. The efficiency of the ZAFC is approximately 58%, plus the added efficiency of reclaimed reduced zinc cations to zinc, either through recharging or plating. The electrolyte can be seawater or saline. The raw materials for this ZAFC are sufficiently available such that this system could provide ARS electricity.

A redox flow battery includes positive and negative electrodes respectfully located in half-cells separated by a porous silicon wafer separator formed by MEMS Technology. The first half cell and the second half cell each preferably include a plurality of dividers or barriers configured to create flow channels which introduce turbulence insuring the electrolytes are changing or mixing at surfaces of the electrodes and the membrane. Also disclosed is a solar energy generation and storage system which includes a photovoltaic cell and an electrochemical energy storage battery which share a common electrode. Also disclosed is a membrane-less redox flow electrical energy storage battery, having a cathode electrode; an anode electrode formed of a porous silicon substrate in which surfaces of the pores of the porous silicon substrate are coated at least in part with a metal silicide; and, an electrolyte.

The present application relates to a method for manufacturing a photoelectrode, the method comprising steps of impregnating a first transition metal oxide capable of performing photoreaction in an electrolyte, applying a voltage onto the electrolyte to generate an electrochemical oxidation reaction on the surface of the first transition metal oxide, and forming a second transition metal oxide thin film on the surface of the first transition metal oxide by irradiating light onto the first transition metal oxide at the same time as the step of applying the voltage.