Photoelectrosynthetically Active Heterostructures Eliminate Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in commercially viable production of hydrogen, bromine, and other chemicals using solar energy, with existing semiconductor-powered systems being inefficient and prone to corrosion, and there is a need for cost-effective methods to utilize solar energy for chemical reactions and carbon dioxide sequestration.
Innovation Solution
The use of photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructures (PAHs) that absorb sunlight to convert it into electrochemical potential, driving chemical reactions to produce desired products like methane and methanol from carbon dioxide and oxidizable reactants in wastewater, with improved stability and efficiency, and a two-step process involving photoelectrosynthetic and thermochemical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional solar cells are used to generate electrical energy, then power can be provided for satellites and stand-alone appliances, but the system requires complex and expensive wiring to interconnect solar cells to the grid, and corrosion, heat stress and internal short-circuits can reduce or eliminate the ability of solar cells to generate power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the semiconductor particles from conventional solar cell structures and suspends them directly in the reaction medium, eliminating the need for complex wiring and interconnection systems. The semiconductor particles function as both the photovoltaic element and the photoelectrosynthetic reactor, removing the separate electrical connection infrastructure required by traditional solar cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reaction medium that serves as an intermediary between the semiconductor particles and the chemical reactants. This medium allows direct energy transfer from the semiconductor to the chemical species without requiring external electrical circuits or wiring, enabling the solar energy to drive chemical reactions directly through the suspended semiconductor particles.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional solar cells are used to generate electrical energy, then power can be provided for satellites and stand-alone appliances, but corrosion, heat stress and internal short-circuits can reduce or eliminate the ability of solar cells to generate power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive semiconductor particles that can be readily replaced if degraded. The suspended particle system allows for easy renewal of the semiconductor material without replacing entire solar cell modules, making the system more resilient to degradation from corrosion and heat stress over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by suspending semiconductor particles in a reaction medium rather than fixing them in rigid solar cell structures. This allows the semiconductor to operate in conditions optimized for photoelectrosynthesis rather than traditional photovoltaics, improving stability by eliminating heat buildup from electrical resistance and reducing stress from fixed mounting structures.
3Extent of automation
If semiconductor platelets are suspended in a reactor vessel to produce hydrogen gas and bromine, then chemical reactions can be driven by solar energy, but the process lacks efficiency and commercial viability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite semiconductor particles that combine multiple materials with complementary properties to enhance both the photoelectrosynthetic activity and the chemical production efficiency. These composite structures allow simultaneous optimization of light absorption, charge separation, and catalytic activity for specific chemical reactions, thereby improving productivity while maintaining solar-driven automation.
4Device complexity
If photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructures are used to produce chemical fuels from carbon dioxide, then capital costs can be reduced by eliminating external circuitry, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the photoelectrosynthetic system into discrete heterostructure particles that can be independently fabricated and then suspended in the reaction medium. This segmentation allows for specialized fabrication techniques to be applied to each particle type without requiring complex integration of multiple components, as the particles self-assemble into the functional system when suspended together.
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
This approach enables the efficient and stable production of chemical fuels using solar energy, reducing capital costs by eliminating external circuitry and utilizing inexpensive materials, while maintaining efficiency and longevity of the semiconductor devices.
Implementation Method 1
photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructures (PAHs) that absorb sunlight to convert it into electrochemical potential, driving chemical reactions to produce desired products like methane and methanol from carbon dioxide and oxidizable reactants
Implementation Method 2
Photovoltaic devices consist of semiconductor materials that are capable of capturing photons from solar irradiation and converting them into electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
semiconductor materials that are capable of capturing photons from solar irradiation
Implementation Method 4
converting them into electrical energy (i.e., a current having an electrical potential)
Implementation Method 5
Solar energy can also be used in photoelectrosynthetic processes to produce desired products through photo-oxidation and photo-reduction of chemical components in a feedstock
Implementation Method 6
produce desired products through photo-oxidation and photo-reduction of chemical components in a feedstock
Data Source
AI summary
A photoelectrosynthetically active heterostructure (PAH) is manufactured by forming or providing cavities in an electrically insulating material; forming or providing an electrically conductive layer on a side of the electrically insulating material; depositing an electrocatalyst cathode layer in the cavities; depositing one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material in the cavities; depositing an electrocatalyst anode layer in the cavities; removing the layer of electrically conductive metal; and forming a hydrogen permeable layer over the electrocatalyst cathode layer. The one or more layers of light-absorbing semiconductor material can form a p-n junction or Schottky junction. The PAH can be used in photoelectrosynthetic processes to produce desired products, such as reduction product (e.g., methane gas, methanol, or carbon monoxide) from carbon dioxide and liquid waste streams.