Patent ID: 8147659

Claim:
A device, comprising: an electrochemical, electrolytic, or fuel cell comprising: (a) a first working electrode capable of transferring charge to or from an electrolyte in a first interfacial region, wherein the first interfacial region is in the electrolyte between the first working electrode and the electrolyte; (b) a gated electrode assembly comprising a second working electrode and a gate electrode appropriately spaced from the second working electrode, the second working electrode being capable of transferring charge to or from the electrolyte in a second interfacial region, wherein the second interfacial region is in the electrolyte between the second working electrode and the electrolyte; and wherein: (1) the electrochemical, electrolytic, or fuel cell is configured to support a first voltage between the first working electrode and the second working electrode, a second voltage between the second working electrode and the gate electrode, and a current through the first working electrode and the gated electrode assembly (2) the current through the gated electrode assembly flows predominately through the second working electrode, and (3) the second voltage modifies an electric charge, field, or potential in the second interfacial region, as compared to an electric charge, field, or potential in the electrolyte in the second interfacial region without the gate electrode.