Pulsed Light Modulation for PSII Water Dissociation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for electrochemical oxidation of water using the PSII enzymatic complex are limited by the requirement for a constant source of light energy, which restricts industrial-scale application and hydrogen production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pulsed light with a modulated pulse frequency is used to enhance oxygen production yield, allowing for the use of variable light energy and increasing the efficiency of hydrogen and oxygen production compared to continuous light methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous light is used for electrochemical oxidation of water by PSII, then the process can proceed continuously, but the oxygen production yield per unit of light energy is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed light illumination instead of continuous light to activate PSII. By delivering light energy in periodic pulses at optimized frequencies (e.g., 1-1000 Hz), the system achieves higher oxygen production yield per unit of light energy. The periodic action allows PSII to process photons more efficiently during each pulse, preventing energy waste while maintaining continuous operation through repeated cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pulse frequency and duration of light illumination to optimize PSII activity. By varying temporal parameters (pulse width, frequency, duty cycle) rather than using fixed continuous illumination, the system adapts light delivery to match PSII's photochemical processing capacity, thereby improving energy efficiency and oxygen production yield.
2Productivity
If constant light energy source is used, then the process is simple to operate, but industrial-scale application and hydrogen production efficiency are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static constant light sources to dynamic pulsed light sources with adjustable parameters. This enables adaptation to different industrial-scale requirements by modifying pulse frequency, duration, and intensity, thereby improving hydrogen production efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility for various application scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of light delivery from constant to pulsed mode, and further optimizes by adjusting pulse frequency and duration parameters. This parameter transformation enables both improved productivity (higher hydrogen production efficiency) and enhanced adaptability (flexibility in light source selection and configuration for industrial-scale applications).
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 method achieves a significantly higher oxygen production rate per unit of light energy, with the oxygen production rate being at least 20 times higher than with continuous light, making it suitable for industrial-scale hydrogen and oxygen production.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrochemical oxidation of the aqueous solution in the presence of pulsed light... by an enzymatic composition based on a first enzymatic complex PSII... with production of oxygen, free electrons and free protons
Implementation Method 2
there are successive absorptions of photons of light by the pigments of PSII
Implementation Method 3
pulsed light, which pulsed light is generated from a first source of light energy at a predetermined pulse frequency value... Optionally, the pulsed light is a coherent light, i.e. generated by a laser
Implementation Method 4
the cathode gives the possibility of recombining the e− and the H+ (reduction reaction of protons) in order to form the hydrogen
Implementation Method 5
a step for modulating the predetermined pulse frequency value of the pulsed light... in order to obtain a first yield for producing oxygen per unit of light energy which is greater by a factor comprised between 1.01 and 100.00 than a second oxygen production yield per light energy unit obtained for a second electrochemical oxidation in the presence of continuous light
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for dissociating an aqueous solution which includes electrochemical oxidation of the aqueous solution in the presence of pulsed light, said pulsed light being generated from a first source of light energy with a predetermined pulse frequency value, using an enzyme composition based on a first enzyme complex PSII, isolated from a second enzyme complex PSI, with production of oxygen, free electrons and free protons in the aqueous solution, characterised in that said light energy has a variable energy value over time, said method also including a step of modulating said predetermined pulse frequency value of said pulsed light.