Method and system for generating electrical energy from water

a technology of electrical energy and water, applied in the direction of secondary cell servicing/maintenance, cell components, temperature-sensitive devices, etc., can solve the problems of finite fossil fuel supplies and often adverse environmental effects of consumption, and achieve the effect of higher ph levels

US20090226798A1Inactive Publication Date: 2009-09-104TH PHASE INC +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2009-09-10
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

Method and system for generating electrical energy from a volume of water.
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Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 023,313, filed Jan. 24, 2008, expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS

[0002] This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. AT-002362 and AR-44813 awarded by the National Institutes for Health and under Contract No. N00014-05-1-0773 awarded by the Office of Naval Research. The Government has certain rights in the invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Satisfying the world's energy needs is a demanding endeavor. Presently, fossil fuels are responsible for supplying the bulk of these worldwide needs. However, fossil fuel supplies are finite, their consumption often has adverse environmental effects, their cost widely variable and somewhat unpredictable, and independence from them is long considered to be politically advantageous.

[0004] Alternative energy sources are being actively so...

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Embodiment Construction

[0028]The present invention provides a method and system for generating electrical energy from a volume of water. In the method, electrical energy is extracted from the volume of water that is subject to or has been subject to applied energy, such a radiant energy from the sun or the local environment.

[0029]In one aspect, the invention provides a method for generating electrical energy from a volume of water. In one embodiment of the method, a volume of water is contacted with a hydrophilic surface and subjected to the application of energy to provide an exclusion zone at the interface of the hydrophilic surface and the water. A bulk zone in the volume of water is formed outside of the exclusion zone. Charge separation is induced in the volume of water by applying energy to the volume of water. Electrical energy is extracted from the volume of water by providing a first electrode in the exclusion zone and a second electrode in the bulk zone, and connecting a load across the electrod...