This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a vapor phase photo-electrochemical cell. In one aspect, a device includes a photovoltaic cell, a cathode disposed on the photovoltaic cell, an ionomer membrane disposed on the cathode, and an anode disposed on the ionomer membrane. The cathode includes a cathode catalyst. The ionomer membrane is in contact with the cathode catalyst. The anode includes an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in contact with the ionomer membrane. The anode, the ionomer membrane, and the cathode are transmissive to the solar radiation spectrum.

An integrated energy harvesting and storage device (IEHSD) includes a solar cell (SC) including an active layer between an optically transparent top electrode and a bottom electrode, and an energy storage device (SD) secured below the solar cell including a separator between a first electrode and a second electrode. The bottom electrode and the first or second electrode are electrically common with one another and are within a distance of ≤300 μm from one another.

A solid-state battery is provided. The battery includes a melanin structure formed of at least one melanin material embedded in an inert material, and first and second metal bands which serve as first and second electrodes, respectively. The melanin material is selected from the group consisting of melanin, melanin precursors, melanin derivatives, melanin analogs and melanin variants. The solid-state battery does not need to be recharged or reloaded.

Provided are a photoelectrode for hydrogen generation in solar water splitting and a manufacturing method thereof. The photoelectrode for hydrogen generation in solar water splitting, includes a light absorbing layer including a chalcopyrite compound; and a hydrogen generation catalyst including Cu.sub.xS (where 0≤x≤2) which is present on the light absorbing layer, and may be manufactured by using a solution process which enables mass production and produce hydrogen from water using sunlight with high efficiency without using a noble metal element.

The present, disclosure relates generally to reactor cells comprising an enclosure and one or more plasmonic photocatalysts on a catalyst support disposed within the enclosure. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the enclosure is at least partially optically transparent.

The present disclosure relates generally to reactor systems that include (a) a housing having an interior surface that may be at least partially reflective, (b) at least one reactor cell disposed within an interior of the housing, the at least one reactor cell including an enclosure and a plasmonic photocatalyst on a catalyst support disposed within the at least one enclosure, where the enclosure is optically transparent and includes at least one input for a reactant to enter the at least one cell and at least one output for a reformate to exit the at least one cell and (c) at least one light source disposed within the interior of the housing and/or external to the housing.

Solar electroosmosis power generation devices and methods thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first electrode in transparent inorganic electrolyte solution is provided in a first temperature chamber including a first light-transmitting wall. A second electrode in transparent inorganic electrolyte solution is provided in a second temperature chamber including a second light-tight wall. The first and second temperature chambers are connected by a cation nano-film with nanoparticles on its surface close to the first temperature chamber. An external circuit connects the first and second electrodes. When the nano-film is irradiated through the first wall by sunlight, the temperature of the first temperature chamber is higher than that of the second temperature chamber. In some embodiments, the solar electroosmosis power generation device improves solar energy utilization efficiency, and can be used in the field of solar light-heat-electric conversion.

A radiation-assisted (typically solar-assisted) electrolyzer cell and panel for high-efficiency hydrogen production comprises a photoelectrode and electrode pair, with said photoelectrode comprising either a photoanode electrically coupled to a cathode shared with an anode, or a photocathode electrically coupled to an anode shared with a cathode; electrolyte; gas separators; all within a container divided into two chambers by said shared cathode or shared anode, and at least a portion of which is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation required by said photoanode (or photocathode) to apply photovoltage to a shared cathode (or anode) that increases the electrolysis current and hydrogen production.

The present invention relates to a photocatalytic power generation apparatus depending on an ambient humidity difference. The power generation apparatus comprises a photocatalytic power generation unit driven by a humidity difference, a power storage assembly and a sunlight collection and emission assembly. The photocatalytic power generation unit driven by the humidity difference comprises an anode gas channel, a screen type photoelectric anode material, a moisture-permeable proton exchange membrane, a screen type cathode material and a cathode gas channel in sequence from one side to the other side. The photocatalytic power generation unit of the apparatus converts gas humidity difference potential energy in the anode and cathode gas channels into electric energy by a photocatalytic electrochemical reaction under an illumination condition and stores the converted electric energy into the power storage assembly.

A solid-state battery is provided. The battery includes a melanin structure formed of at least one melanin material embedded in an inert material, and first and second metal bands which serve as first and second electrodes, respectively. The melanin material is selected from the group consisting of melanin, melanin precursors, melanin derivatives, melanin analogs and melanin variants. The solid-state battery does not need to be recharged or reloaded.