Method for chemical reaction control using a surface acoustic wave device

USH675H · kind H · statutory invention registration

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Donald E. Wortman · Rockville, US
• Clyde A. Morrison · Wheaton, US
• Frank Crowne · Laurel, US
• Richard P. Leavitt · College Park, US

Key dates

• Grant date: Sep 5, 1989

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a chemical reaction by heterogeneous catalysis, in which a surface acoustic wave (SAW) is propagated along a surface of a piezoelectric element in contact with liquid or gaseous substances to be chemically reacted, to thus generate an electric field at the surface of the element which initiates and sustains the desired reaction. The catalysis rate can be varied by varying the frequency and/or intensity of the surface acoustic wave. The surface of the element may be coated with a very thin film of a catalytic group 8 metal which can be penetrated by the SAW electric field. In such an embodiment, normal catalysis proceeds via chemisorption, and the SAW element field acts to increase the catalysis rate.