CAPILLARY-BASED ELECTRO-SYNTHETIC OR ELECTRO-ENERGY CELLS

Disclosed are zero-gap electrochemical cell architectures that employ molecular-level capillary and/or diffusion and/or osmotic effects to minimize the need for macroscopic external management of the electrochemical cell. Preferably, these effects intrinsically respond to the electrochemical cell conditions, making them self-regulating. In one example is disclosed an electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell, and method of operation, comprising a reservoir for containing a liquid electrolyte, a first gas diffusion electrode positioned outside of the reservoir, and a second electrode positioned outside of the reservoir. A porous capillary spacer is positioned between the first gas diffusion electrode and the second electrode, the porous capillary spacer having an end that extends into the reservoir. Preferably, the porous capillary spacer is able to fill itself with the liquid electrolyte when the end of the porous capillary spacer is in liquid contact with the liquid electrolyte in the reservoir.