Putting order in electron spin for improved electrochemical reactions
Chiral has developed a range of spin-aligning coatings based on the CISS effect. These coatings are just a few nanometers thick, allowing them to be applied to existing electrodes without the need for significant redesigns. This ensures compatibility with various technologies and form factors.
By aligning electron spin, the coatings reduce over potential & significantly improve the efficiency and capacity of devices such as batteries, electrolyzers, fuel cells and more.
Chiral reduces overpotential waste caused by random spin of electrons
Resistivity & Overpotential Waste is Expensive
Overpotential waste reduces the efficiency and capacity of electrochemical devices. This drives significant costs.
Electron Spin and the role of Aligned Spin in Nature
Electrons have spin, typically, electrons flow with random spin orientation.
Over billions of years, nature has evolved the ability to control and align spin by use of the CISS effect (explenation following).
The move from 'random' to 'aligned' spin plays a crucial role in optimizing processes such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
Several studies even suggest that the CISS effect played a fundamental role in the emergence of life on Earth.
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What is Chirality?
Chirality refers to a property of objects, molecules, or structures that exist in two non-superimposable mirror-image forms, like left and right hands.
Biological systems widely utilize homo-chiral molecules: only left or only right structures. Natural sugars, proteins, amino acids, and DNA are all such examples.
What is the CISS Effect?
Chiral's founders identified that the direction of electron spin is influenced by chiral molecules which act as spin filters.
Electrons with one spin direction pass through left-handed chiral molecules while electrons with the opposite spin pass through right-handed molecules.
This is known as the CISS effect (Chiral Induced Spin Selectivity).
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We use the CISS effect to enhance electrochemical performance.
The Benefits of Spin Alignment
Aligned electron spin facilitates smoother electron transfer, allowing more electrons to move with less energy.
Higher Efficiency: More electrons transferred with less energy leading to reduced energy loss.
Greater Capacity: Enhanced energy storage for batteries and more output for electrolyzers and fuel cells.
Lower Costs: Both upfront and operational costs are reduced due to improved efficiency and capacity
Compact Design: Decreases footprint and weight per kWh, enabling more flexible setups.