Thermal electrochemical cell
Technologies are generally described for methods and systems for implementing a thermal electrochemical cell. Some example electrochemical cells described herein may comprise a first container including a first electrode and an electrolyte effective to receive electrons from the first electrode. Some electrochemical cells may further comprise a second container including a second electrode and an aqueous suspension including zinc oxide nanoparticles. Some electrochemical cells may also further comprise a contact member in between the first container and the second container.
1. An electrochemical cell comprising:
a first container including a first electrode positioned within a liquid electrolyte, the electrolyte effective to receive electrons from the first electrode;
a second container including a second electrode positioned within an aqueous suspension including zinc oxide particles, wherein the included zinc oxide particles consist of uncoated zinc oxide nanoparticles; and
a contact member in between the first container and the second container, the contact member ionically coupling the first and second containers.
2. The electrochemical cell as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
a first lead touching the first electrode; and
a second lead touching the second electrode.
3. The electrochemical cell as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte includes an HCl solution.
4. The electrochemical cell as recited in claim 1 , wherein the contact member includes a platinum foil.
5. The electrochemical cell as recited in claim 1 , wherein the contact member includes a lipid membrane.
6. The electrochemical cell as recited in claim 1 , wherein the contact member includes:
a joint between the first container and the second container; and
a planar lipid membrane.
7. The electrochemical cell as recited in claim 1 , wherein the contact member includes:
a joint between the first container and the second container; and
a planar cholesterol membrane.
8. The electrochemical cell as recited in claim 1 , wherein the contact member includes a hydrophobic barrier.
9. The electrochemical cell as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes include platinum, stainless steel or gold.
10. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , wherein the electrochemical cell is a thermal electrochemical cell configured to produce an output voltage in response to received heat.
11. An electrochemical cell comprising:
a first container including a first electrode positioned within a liquid electrolyte, the electrolyte effective to receive electrons from the first electrode;
a second container including a second electrode positioned within an aqueous suspension including zinc oxide particles, wherein the included zinc oxide particles consist of uncoated zinc oxide nanoparticles; and
a contact member in between the first container and the second container, the contact member ionically coupling the first and second containers, wherein the electrochemical cell is a thermal electrochemical cell configured to produce an output voltage in response to received heat.