Boron Nitride Nanochannel Membrane for High Power Reverse Electrodialysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing electrical energy from concentration gradients, such as reverse electrodialysis, are limited in energy density and efficiency, with existing membranes like polymeric and silica membranes yielding only a few Watts per square meter, making them impractical for widespread use.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising two cells separated by a membrane with channels made from boron nitride or its doped forms, which enhances electrical energy generation by creating charges on the channel walls due to the diffusion of solutions with different solute concentrations, leading to a significant increase in energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polymeric membranes or silica membranes are used for reverse electrodialysis, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the energy production is limited to a few Watts per square meter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the membrane from conventional polymeric or silica materials to boron nitride-based materials with nanochannels. This parameter change transforms the surface properties of the channels, enabling significantly higher energy production (100-1000 Watts per square meter) while maintaining the membrane structure's manufacturability through established nanomaterial synthesis techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs boron nitride as a composite material with specific nanoscale channel structures. The boron nitride material combines crystalline or amorphous structures with controlled nanochannel dimensions and surface properties, creating a composite that achieves both high energy production and practical manufacturability through materials science engineering.
2Device complexity
If conventional membranes are used, then the device complexity is low, but the power output is insufficient for practical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the membrane material to boron nitride with specific nanochannel characteristics. This parameter transformation enables the membrane to generate 100-1000 Watts per square meter, transforming the device from a laboratory curiosity into a practically applicable energy generation system while keeping the overall device architecture relatively simple.
3Productivity
If boron nitride membranes with nanochannels are used, then the energy production increases to 100-1000 Watts per square meter, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high energy production (100-1000 Watts per square meter) by changing the material parameters to boron nitride with controlled nanochannel structures. The manufacturing complexity is managed through established nanomaterial synthesis methods, including chemical vapor deposition and other nanofabrication techniques that can produce boron nitride membranes with precise channel dimensions and surface properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes boron nitride as a porous material with specifically engineered nanochannels. The porous structure provides the necessary ion transport pathways while the nanoscale dimensions and surface properties of the channels maximize energy generation. The porosity is controlled during material synthesis to achieve optimal performance while maintaining manufacturability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of boron nitride-based membranes results in electrical energy generation exceeding previous limits, achieving power values of 100 to 1000 Watts per square meter, offering a more efficient and economically viable method for renewable energy production.
Implementation Method 1
Membranes comprising channels whose surface is of an inorganic nature, which, when the latter are filled with an aqueous solution, leads to surface ionization, adsorption of ions and dissolution of ions
Implementation Method 2
The concentration gradient causes one of the solutions to diffuse across the membrane
Implementation Method 3
The concentration gradient causes one of the solutions to diffuse across the membrane
Implementation Method 4
leads to surface ionization, adsorption of ions and dissolution of ions
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5A~6C
Figure 7A~7C
AI summary
The present invention concerns a device for producing electrical energy comprising two cells intended to contain two solutions of different concentrations of at least one solute and separated by at least one separation membrane in which channels are arranged, each of the cells being provided with an electrode intended to be in contact with the solution that said cell will contain, characterised in that the walls of the channels consist of a material chosen from boron nitride, carbon doped with boron, boron nitride doped with carbon, or any other mixture of the elements boron, carbon and nitrogen, and a method for producing electrical energy that implements such a device.