Artificial photosynthesis
US8519012B2 · kind B2 · utility
5Cited by
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21Claims
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Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 20, 2012 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W10/37
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed is a process for storing solar energy in organic compounds. The process comprises providing a water source and a carbon source. Water present in the water source is activated using solar energy. Activated water is reacted with the carbon source to form an organic compound comprising hydrogen and carbon. The organic compound has higher energy content than the carbon source.In a specific embodiment the organic compound is used as a fuel in an electricity-generating device, such as a fuel cell. In this embodiment the preferred organic compound is methanol.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.