Posted on 09/30/2011 7:33:05 PM PDT by dangerdoc
Yes, in a practical use kind of way, since batteries can discharge at higher direct current than typical residential solar panels. Of course, that is if these storage methods can be regulated in discharge rate.
I suppose it could make the storage of it much better. But then again...What is the lifetime of these things.
>”Just think of the possible applications”<
Condoms?
I see your farad and raise you a farook.
Yep, there's always a downside they never reveal in the press release. If it really worked they'd be too busy bringing it to market to do a press release.
[If it can be really high then these might make electric vehicles much more feasible.]
The problem isn’t so much te cars as how you pump that much current at peaking loads without completely rebuilding the grid as well as power plants.
Fast charging means very high amperage, means surges, toasted tansformers, huge cables, etc etc.
I think this sort of press release occurs when the investors say, "We're not going to continue financing this research forever. If you want to continue, you better bring in some additional financial support." In this case, it appears the Singapore government has been financing it, but the conversation may still have been along those lines.
If they had something that was ready to go to market, it would probably be kept extremely confidential to allow them to be first to market.
I get a little tired of researchers crowing about the latest breakthrough with no proof. Having said that, my curiosity is aroused.
Even if they double or treble current l-ion capacities, we are in happy town.
It puts electric cars on par with gas.
It makes solar somewhat viable.
I could go two days with my Evo!
Sounds like a capacitor to me. Maybe a better capacitor, but still a capacitor.
If this technology does take off, then greener energy sources may finally become more viable. That's great news... and also a HUGE indictment of the stupidity of the Left. Our oil, gas, and coal reserves will lose vast amounts of value in a very short amount of time. The morons who kept bleating that we cannot use our resources when they are at the peak values (because we have to "save it for the future") will have directly caused the US to have squandered tens of trillions of dollars of resources, for nothing. That could've paid for Obama's hyper-spending for a decade or so. ("Think of all the social programs that could've been!")
“Sounds like a capacitor to me. Maybe a better capacitor, but still a capacitor.”
It is, and that’s a good thing. Many groups have been working on this type of super-capacitor. The only downside to capacitors versus batteries is their lack of capacity. If this truly works out to be even double the capacity of the top chemical batteries at a cheaper price, it will near-instantly take over the market. The other probable virtues of a capacitor battery are rapid charging, and almost limitless recharge cycles instead of a few thousand like chemical batteries.
Imagine charging your phone, table or computer in less than a minute, for instance. If it does work out at 7x the capacity of lithium ion batteries, that would give you iPad runtimes of around 70 hours per charge... This would also be much better than chemical batteries for off-grid solar.
I sure hope it works out, we are in dire need of all sorts of improved technology to kick-start the economy again.
Ooops. (sigh)
...the world's first energy-storage membrane... doesn't incorporate liquid electrolytes that can spill... is made from a polystyrene-based polymer...Sounds perfect for mobile computing.
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