Importance

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Abstract

Provided is a method for dislodging material from a surface of an electrode. The surface of the electrode is generally covered by a liquid electrolyte. The method comprises forcing a mass of gas onto a surface of the liquid electrolyte, thereby causing movement of the liquid electrolyte in a direction generally parallel to a plane of the surface of the electrode. The movement of the liquid electrolyte imparts a force to the material on the surface of the electrode thereby causing the material to dislodge. Also provided is an apparatus for dislodging material from a surface of an electrode. The apparatus comprises an electrode generally covered by a liquid electrolyte, a body containing the liquid electrolyte with at least one liquid inlet, at least one liquid outlet, and at least one gas inlet. The at least one gas inlet is positioned such that the at least one gas inlet and the at least one liquid outlet are separated by a volume in which a portion of some of the liquid electrolyte at or near the surface of the electrode is present, and a pressurized gas source operably connected to the at least one gas inlet.

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First Claim