Voltage, current and power data with 1 kΩ load.

Electrochemical cells from ice will be an important seasonal addition to power generation in cold regions. We demonstrate power generation on the order of 0.1 mW at 0.3 V and 0.13 m2 surface area using an electrochemical cell with 2% HCl providing a pH gradient in ice, and suggest a solar add-on effect due to temperature changes under direct sunlight. Different models are discussed, and data are presented related to different additives: (1) solutes such as NaCl and monopotassium phosphate; (2) pH modifying agents such as acids and bases; (3) particulate suspensions with kaolinite and other substances. The results are positive and suggest viable use of electrochemical cells from ice with low fabrication costs and safe environmental impact for ephemeral power generation, especially with future material improvements and refinement of technique. Current research in this nascent field is also briefly introduced. The model presented has implications both for power systems and for biology: an icy-worlds hypothesis for the origin of life suggests a protometabolism with an ice-based pH gradient.

冰基电化学电池（electrochemical cell）将成为寒冷地区发电领域重要的季节性补充方案。本研究采用搭载2%氯化氢（HCl）的冰基电化学电池，在冰中构建pH梯度，实现了0.3 V电压下约0.1毫瓦的发电功率，其表面积达0.13平方米；同时我们提出，直射阳光引发的温度变化可带来附加太阳能发电效应。本研究对多种模型展开探讨，并展示了不同添加剂对应的实验数据：(1) 溶质类添加剂，如氯化钠（NaCl）与磷酸二氢钾；(2) pH调节剂类添加剂，如各类酸碱物质；(3) 由高岭石（kaolinite）等物质组成的颗粒悬浮液。实验结果积极向好，表明冰基电化学电池可用于短时发电，且具备制造成本低、环境影响小的实用价值，尤其在未来开展材料优化与工艺精进后，其应用前景将更为可观。本研究还简要介绍了该新兴领域的当前研究动态。本次提出的模型对电力系统与生物学领域均具有重要启示：生命起源的冰世界假说（icy-worlds hypothesis）提出了基于冰基pH梯度的原始代谢机制。