US3811950A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biochemical fuel cell and method of operating same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-01-26
•
Granted: 1974-05-21
•
Expires: 1992-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A chemical fuel cell is presented wherein electrical energy is generated by the reaction of enzymes, substrates and nucleotides, the reaction being, in part, similar to parts of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the human body.
Inventors
- 👤 R Vasas
- 👤 D Avampato
- 👤 R Dibella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M8/00; H01M8/16; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
17 words
A fuel cell as in claim 1 wherein said substrate is selected from the group consisting of:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
2 words
D-isocitric acid
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
2 words
isocitric dehydrogenase
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
2 words
isocitric dehydrogenase
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
2 words
D-isocitric acid
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
6 words
Alpha ketoglutaric acid and coenzyme A
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
3 words
Alpha ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
3 words
Alpha -ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
6 words
Alpha -ketoglutaric acid and coenzyme A
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fuel cell as in claim 2 wherein said enzyme is selected from the group consisting of:
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A fuel cell as in claim 3 wherein: said solution includes the nucleotide DPN for a solution containing the corresponding substrate and enzymes (1), (2), (3) or (5), and said solution includes the nucleotide FAD for a solution containing the corresponding substrate and enzyme (4).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
2 words
succinate dehydrogenase
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
2 words
succinic acid
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
2 words
succinic dehydrogenase
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
2 words
succinic acid
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
2 words
L-malic acid
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A fuel cell as in claim 1 wherein: said pH level is not less than 6.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
malate dehydrogenase each of the enzymes (1) through (5), respectively being specific to and corresponding to substrates (1) through (5).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
2 words
L-malic acid
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
malate dehydrogenase each of the enzymes (1) through (5), respectively being specific to and corresponding to substrates (1) through (5).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fuel cell as in claim 1 wherein: said aqueous solution is of deionized water.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
A fuel cell as in claim 1 including: methylene blue in said solution.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process for obtaining electrical power from a biochemical process including the steps of: forming a fuel cell containing an aqueous solution of an organic substrate and an enzyme which is dehydrogenous with respect to the substrate whereby hydrogen ions and electrons are liberated; promoting the release of hydrogen ions and electrons by the presence of a nucleotide in said aqueous solution; buffering said aqueous solution to maintain the desired pH level; and immersing an anode and cathode in said aqueous solution.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process as in claim 8 wherein said step of forming a fuel cell containing an aqueous solution includes incorporating in said aqueous solution an organic substrate selected from the group consisting of:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process as in claim 9 wherein the step of forming a fuel cell having an aqueous solution incLudes incorporating an enzyme selected from the group consisting of:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
64 words
The process as in claim 9 wherein the step of promoting the release of hydrogen ions and electrons by the presence of a nucleotide includes: incorporating in said solution the nucleotide DPN for a solution containing the corresponding substrate and enzymes (1), (2), (3) or (5), and incorporating in said solution the nucleotide FAD for a solution containing the corresponding substrate and enzyme (4).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 8 wherein said step of buffering said solution includes: maintaining the pH of said solution at a level not less than 6.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as in claim 8 including: incorporating methylene blue in said solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |