US 12,278,016 B1
Two-stage process for hydrogen isotope loading in a cathode material
Mitchell R. Swartz, Weston, MA (US)
Filed by Mitchell R. Swartz, Weston, MA (US)
Filed on Mar. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/501,365.
Int. Cl. C01B 4/00 (2006.01); G21B 1/21 (2006.01); G21B 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC G21B 3/00 (2013.01) [G21B 1/21 (2013.01); G21B 3/002 (2013.01); C01B 4/00 (2013.01)] 3 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of electrochemically loading a material with a hydrogen isotope, which includes:
applying a power source to create an electric field between a cathode and an anode in a modified aqueous solution consisting of a gel containing lithium deuteroxide, palladium deuteroxide, and the hydrogen isotope;
providing an inner thermal barrier pipe within and coaxial to the cathode;
surrounding the exterior of the cathode with a deuteron-impermeable barrier;
surrounding the deuteron-impermeable barrier with an expansion barrier;
surrounding the expansion barrier with a structural support;
increasing the temperature to a critical temperature for loading the maximum amount of hydrogen isotope without causing defects or dislocations in the cathode;
wherein the cathode is coaxially-shaped, and consists of any one of a member of the following group: palladium, vanadium, tantalum, niobium, lanthanum, and cerium;
wherein the anode consists of palladium and is cruciform-shaped.