Electrically controlled ion transport device 2x

Full text: EP 2232260 (A1)

SummaryThe present invention relates to devices for electrically controlled transport of ions between a source and a target electrolyte, comprising: a first source electrode (101) and a first target electrode (104), each capable of conducting ions and electrons, wherein said source electrode is arranged to receive ions from said source electrolyte (102) and said target electrode is arranged to release ions to said target electrolyte (105), and means for retaining one of said source and target electrolytes on the device, which means are arranged such that each electrolyte is in contact with one of said electrodes, and a first ion-conductive channel (103), arranged to receive ions from said source electrode, to release ions to said target electrode and to provide an ionic connection between said source and said target electrodes, wherein said electrodes (101,104); and said ion-conductive channel are formed of solid or semi-solid materials which are directly or indirectly attached to a support (107), further comprising means for limiting an electronic current between said source and said target electrodes, such that at least after a voltage is applied across said channel a potential difference between said source and target electrodes is maintained, which effects ion transport from said source to said target electrode. The present invention further relates to arrangements of and methods using such devices.