Graphene Sheet Array for Ion Fluid Electricity Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating electricity from ion-containing fluids using graphene are not industrially viable due to high costs, challenging device fabrication, and inability to produce graphene sheets in quantities that meet global electricity demand, while also facing environmental concerns from fossil fuel combustion.
Innovation Solution
An array of graphene sheets with electrical contacts is configured to generate electricity from a flow of ion-containing fluids, where each sheet is in electrical contact with at least another sheet, optimized for low-cost production and robustness, and can be arranged in various configurations to maximize power generation, including use in devices like solar panels and tidal power generators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If known methods use graphene to generate electricity from ion-containing fluids, then electricity generation is achieved, but the production cost and fabrication complexity become prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple discrete graphene sheets arranged in an array, where each sheet can be independently fabricated and then assembled. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes and simplifies the overall fabrication complexity while maintaining electricity generation capability through the collective action of multiple sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the graphene sheets, specifically making them porous with controlled pore sizes and distributions. This parameter change enables the sheets to be both manufacturable and effective at generating electricity from ion-containing fluids, resolving the contradiction between fabrication ease and power generation.
2Area of stationary object
If thin graphene sheets are used for electricity generation, then surface area for ion interaction is maximized, but the sheets become vulnerable to destruction by fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The graphene sheets are designed with porous structures that allow ion-containing fluids to pass through while maintaining structural integrity. The porous nature increases the effective surface area for ion interaction while the carefully engineered pore structure prevents sheet destruction from fluid flow, resolving the contradiction between maximizing surface area and ensuring durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses composite structures where graphene sheets are combined with supporting materials or arranged in layered configurations that provide mechanical strength while maintaining the electrochemical functionality. This composite approach allows thin graphene sheets to withstand fluid flow forces while preserving their large surface area for electricity generation.
3Productivity
If graphene sheets are arranged in arrays for increased power output, then electricity generation scales up, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The array is designed as a collection of identical, modular graphene sheet units that can be systematically arranged. This segmentation into standardized units simplifies the overall array configuration, making it easier to manufacture and assemble while enabling scalable electricity generation by simply increasing the number of identical modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Each graphene sheet in the array is designed to perform the same universal function of generating electricity from ion-containing fluids. This universality allows for simplified manufacturing processes where the same fabrication steps are repeated for each sheet, reducing overall device complexity while enabling scalable power output through quantity rather than individual sheet complexity.
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 solution enables the efficient and cost-effective generation of electricity from ion-containing fluids, potentially meeting global demand and reducing environmental impact by utilizing high-quality graphene sheets in arrays that can be integrated into various devices, such as solar panels and tidal power generators, with the potential to produce several MW of power.
Implementation Method 1
an electric potential can be produced by passing a flow of ionic or ion-containing fluid through holes or channels. It is also known that an electric potential may be generated by carbon nanotubes submerged in a flow of ionic fluid.
Implementation Method 2
an electric potential may be produced by flowing an ionic fluid over the surface of graphene
Data Source
AI summary
An array of graphene sheets configured to generate electricity from a flow of an ion-containing fluid, wherein the array comprises a plurality of graphene sheets, each graphene sheet comprising first and second electrical contacts, having a surface extending between the first and second electrical contacts for contacting the flow of ion-containing fluid, and wherein each graphene sheet is in electrical contact with at least a further graphene sheet.