University researchers have developed methods materials and devices that enable optical fuel cells and the high-efficiency photo-assisted conversion of liquid fuels to electricity. In the invention electricity is generated by oxidizing a carbon-containing fuel in a photoelectrochemical fuel cell via a cyclic oxidation pathway to yield carbon dioxide and water and collecting the electrons released via the cyclic oxidation pathway to yield a flow of electrons. The cyclic oxidation pathway includes a series of reactions including oxidation reactions at least one of which is a photooxidation reaction. Photooxidation triggers one or more dark oxidation reactions thereby increasing the efficiency of the photoelectrochemical fuel cell. Patent Status: This technology has a patent pending (International Application No.PCT/US2013/049976) and is available for licensing.
Increased efficiency
This technology has a patent pending (International Application No.PCT US2013049976) and is available for licensing.