초록

Fuel oxidation facilitators for use in electrochemical devices are described, as well as devices incorporating facilitators and methods of their use. Exemplary facilitators separate a liquid anode of a fuel cell from fuel supplied to the fuel cell, and facilitate oxidation of the fuel.

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What is claimed is: 1. A fuel cell, comprising: an anode compartment constructed and arranged to contain an anode that is a liquid metal during operation of the fuel cell; a fuel compartment attachable to a source of fuel for the fuel cell; and a porous ceramic oxide layer, constructed and arranged

What is claimed is: 1. A fuel cell, comprising: an anode compartment constructed and arranged to contain an anode that is a liquid metal during operation of the fuel cell; a fuel compartment attachable to a source of fuel for the fuel cell; and a porous ceramic oxide layer, constructed and arranged to prevent fluid flow between the anode compartment and the fuel compartment, across which anodic oxidation of a fuel provided by the fuel compartment can occur during fuel cell operation. 2. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer includes at least a portion physically separating a fuel in the fuel compartment from the anode in the anode compartment during fuel cell operation, across which portion fuel oxidation can occur. 3. A fuel cell as in claim 2, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer physically completely separates the fuel from the anode during fuel cell operation. 4. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer includes at least one pore of dimension allowing physical contact between a fuel in the fuel compartment and the anode in the anode compartment under operating conditions of the fuel cell. 5. A fuel cell as in claim 4, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer includes a section separating the fuel and the anode, essentially the entire section comprising a porous article including pores of dimension allowing physical contact between the fuel and the anode under operating conditions of the fuel cell. 6. A fuel cell as in claim 4, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer includes at least a portion physically separating the fuel from the anode during fuel cell operation, across which portion fuel oxidation can occur. 7. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer defines a portion of the anode compartment. 8. A fuel cell as in claim 7, constructed and arranged such that the porous ceramic oxide layer, at least one portion thereof, is the sole fuel cell component separating the anode in the anode compartment from a fuel provided in the fuel compartment by the fuel manifold. 9. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer defines a portion of the fuel manifold. 10. A fuel cell as in claim 9, constructed and arranged such that the porous ceramic oxide layer, at least one portion thereof, is the sole fuel cell component separating the anode in the anode compartment from a fuel provided in the fuel compartment by the fuel manifold. 11. A fuel cell as in claim 1 wherein a substantial portion of the anode is a liquid metal during operation of the fuel cell. 12. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer comprises a mixed ion/electron conductor. 13. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer includes at least one ionically-conductive portion. 14. A fuel cell as in claim 1, further comprising a fuel, a substantial portion of which is a gas under operating conditions of the fuel cell. 15. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer is substantially cylindrical. 16. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the fuel manifold includes or is connected to an exhaust conduit and the cell further comprises a fuel delivery conduit having an exit for delivery of fuel at an end of the fuel manifold substantially opposite the exhaust end. 17. A fuel cell, comprising: an anode that is a liquid metal during operation of the fuel cell; a fuel manifold attachable to a source of fuel for the cell; and a porous ceramic oxide layer across which, at a location where the anode is physically separated from a fuel provided by the manifold, oxidation of the fuel via the anode can occur during fuel cell operation. 18. A fuel cell as in claim 17, wherein a substantial portion of the fuel is a gas and a substantial portion of the anode is a liquid metal under operating conditions of the fuel cell. 19. A fuel cell as in claim 18, wherein a substantial portion of the anode is a liquid metal under operating conditions of the fuel cell. 20. A fuel cell as in claim 17, wherein a substantial portion of the fuel is a gas under operating conditions of the fuel cell. 21. A fuel cell as in claim 17, wherein a substantial portion of the fuel is a gas under operating conditions of the fuel cell. 22. A fuel cell as in claim 17, wherein the porous ceramic oxide layer comprises a mixed ion/electron conductor. 23. A fuel cell, comprising: an anode that is a liquid metal during operation of the fuel cell; a fuel manifold attachable to a source of fuel for the cell; and a porous ceramic oxide layer across which, at a location where the anode is physically separated from a fuel provided by the manifold, oxidation of the fuel by the anode can occur during fuel cell operation. 24. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the anode comprises tin. 25. A fuel cell as in claim 1, wherein the anode consists essentially of tin. 26. A fuel cell as in claim 17, wherein the anode comprises of tin. 27. A fuel cell as in claim 17, wherein the anode consists essentially of tin. 28. A fuel cell as in claim 23, wherein the anode comprises of tin. 29. A fuel cell as in claim 23, wherein the anode consists essentially of tin.