Patent ID: RE40035

Claim:
An ionically conductive ceramic element comprising: a plurality of tubes each having interior and exterior surfaces, and each having a closed end and an open end; a tube support member receiving open ends of said plurality of tubes; a first electrically conductive coating covering said exterior surfaces of said plurality of tubes; a second electrically conductive coating covering said interior surfaces of said plurality of tubes; and said ionically conductive ceramic element having at least two columns of tubes and a first electrode connectable to a source of electrical potential at a first polarity and covering an exterior surface of said a first column and an interior surface of said a second column of tubes and a second electrode covering an exterior surface of said second column of tubes connectable to one of a source of electrical potential at a second polarity or covering an interior surface of a third column of tubes. and an interior surface of said first column of tubes; said first electrode being connectable to a source of electrical potential at a first polarity and said second electrode being connectable to a source of electrical potential at a second polarity.