Patent ID: 9011651
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: C01B,C10G,C25B,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for the electrolytic splitting of water into hydrogen and/or oxygen, the apparatus comprising: at least one lithographically-patternable substrate having a surface; a plurality of microscaled catalytic electrodes embedded in said surface, wherein said microscaled catalytic electrodes are either catalytic anode electrodes or catalytic cathode electrodes; at least one counter electrode in proximity to but not on said surface, wherein said counter electrode comprises at least one catalytic cathode electrode if said microscaled catalytic electrodes are catalytic anode electrodes, or said counter electrode comprises at least one catalytic anode electrode if said microscaled catalytic electrodes are catalytic cathode electrodes; means for collecting evolved hydrogen and/or oxygen gas; electrical powering means for applying a voltage across said plurality of microscaled catalytic electrodes and said at least one counter electrode, wherein said electrical powering means are independently addressable to each microscaled catalytic electrode and said at least one counter electrode; and a container for holding an aqueous electrolyte and housing said plurality of microscaled catalytic electrodes and said at least one counter electrode.