SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING THE SURFACE EXCHANGE OF OXYGEN

摘要

Systems and methods related to the enhancement of the surface exchange of oxygen are provided. The invention involves, in some embodiments, affecting and/or introducing a strain (e.g., a tensile or compressive strain) to a material constructed and arranged for the surface exchange of oxygen. The introduction and/or affecting of the strain into such a material may enhance the rate at which oxygen reacts in a surface exchange reaction at the surface of the material, which can enhance the rate at which the oxygen (including oxygen itself, or an oxidized or reduced form of oxygen such as O2) permeates the material. For example, in some embodiments, the material constructed and arranged for the surface exchange of oxygen may comprise an oxide, and, after applying a strain to the material, the rate of a surface exchange reaction between the oxygen and the material (e.g., an oxygen reduction reaction to produce, for example, O2) may increase, relative to the rate that would be observed using an unstrained material. By enhancing the rate at which the surface exchange reaction takes place, a relatively large amount of O2 might be present at the material surface, which can lead to an enhancement in the rate of transport of the oxygen (optionally in an ionic form such as O2) through the material.