US6500571B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enzymatic fuel cell
Assignee: PowerZyme Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-18
•
Granted: 2002-12-31
•
Expires: 2019-08-18
Abstract
Abstract Provided is a fuel cell comprising a first compartment, a second compartment and a barrier separating the first and second compartments, wherein the barrier comprises a proton transporting moiety.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael James Liberatore
- 👤 Leszek Hozer
- 👤 Attiganal Narayanaswamy Sreeram
- 👤 Rajan Kumar
- 👤 Chetna Bindra
- 👤 Zhonghui Hugh Fan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M14/00; H01M14/005; H01M8/00; H01M8/16; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A fuel cell comprising a first compartment, a second compartment and a barrier separating the first and second compartments, wherein the barrier includes an embedded proton transporting protein effective to transport protons from the first compartment to the second compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fuel cell comprising a first compartment, a second compartment and a barrier separating the first and second compartments, wherein the barrier includes an embedded proton transporting protein effective to transport protons from the first compartment to the second compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fuel cell comprising: a first compartment; a second compartment; a barrier separating the first compartment from the second compartment; said barrier having embedded proton transporting proteins effective to transport protons from the first compartment to the second compartment; a first electrode; a second electrode; redox enzymes in the first compartment in communication with the first electrode to deliver electrons thereto; an electron carrier in the first compartment in chemical communication with the redox enzymes; and an electron receiving composition in the second compartment in chemical communication with the second electrode, wherein, in operation, an electrical current flows along a conductive pathway formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A fuel cell comprising: a first compartment; a second compartment; a barrier separating the first compartment from the second compartment; said barrier having embedded proton transporting proteins effective to transport protons from the first compartment to the second compartment; a first electrode; a second electrode; redox enzymes in the first compartment in communication with the first electrode to deliver electrons thereto; an electron carrier in the first compartment in chemical communication with the redox enzymes; and an electron receiving composition in the second compartment in chemical communication with the second electrode, wherein, in operation, an electrical current flows along a conductive pathway formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein the first compartment comprises an electron transfer mediator that transfers electrons from the redox enzymes to the first electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The fuel cell of claim 2 , wherein the proton transporting proteins include redox enzyme activity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel cell of claim 2 , adapted to operate at the first electrode at a temperature of about 60° C. or less.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The fuel cell of claim 2 , further comprising a reservoir for supplying to the vicinity of at least one of the electrodes a component consumed in the operation of the fuel cell and a pump for drawing such component to that vicinity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fuel cell of claim 6 , further comprising a controller which receives data on the operation of the fuel cell and controls the pump in response to the data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fuel cell of claim 2 , further comprising: an electron transfer mediator effective to facilitate transfer of electrons to the first electrode.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of operating a fuel cell with a first compartment and a second compartment comprising: enzymatically oxidizing an electron carrier and delivering the electrons to a first electrode in chemical communication with the first compartment; catalyzing with proteins the transfer of protons across a barrier from the first compartment to the second compartment; and reducing an electron receiving molecule with electrons conveyed through a circuit from the first electrode to a second electrode located in the second compartment.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of operating a fuel cell with a first compartment and a second compartment comprising: enzymatically oxidizing an electron carrier and delivering the electrons to a first electrode in chemical communication with the first compartment; catalyzing with proteins the transfer of protons across a barrier from the first compartment to the second compartment; and reducing an electron receiving molecule with electrons conveyed through a circuit from the first electrode to a second electrode located in the second compartment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the catalytic transfer of protons occurs in conjunction with the enzymatic oxidation of the electron carrier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |