Posted on 04/24/2014 1:08:44 PM PDT by Red Badger
(Phys.org) —Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new and unconventional battery chemistry aimed at producing batteries that last longer than previously thought possible.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, ORNL researchers challenged a long-held assumption that a battery's three main components—the positive cathode, negative anode and ion-conducting electrolyte—can play only one role in the device.
The electrolyte in the team's new battery design has dual functions: it serves not only as an ion conductor but also as a cathode supplement. This cooperative chemistry, enabled by the use of an ORNL-developed solid electrolyte, delivers an extra boost to the battery's capacity and extends the lifespan of the device.
"This bi-functional electrolyte revolutionizes the concept of conventional batteries and opens a new avenue for the design of batteries with unprecedented energy density," said ORNL's Chengdu Liang.
The team demonstrated the new concept in a lithium carbon fluoride battery, considered one of the best single-use batteries because of its high energy density, stability and long shelf life. When ORNL researchers incorporated a solid lithium thiophosphate electrolyte, the battery generated a 26 percent higher capacity than what would be its theoretical maximum if each component acted independently. The increase, explains Liang, is caused by the cooperative interactions between the electrolyte and cathode.
"As the battery discharges, it generates a lithium fluoride salt that further catalyzes the electrochemical activity of the electrolyte," Liang said. "This relationship converts the electrolyte—conventionally an inactive component in capacity—to an active one."
The improvement in capacity could translate into years or even decades of extra life, depending on how the battery is engineered and used. Longer-lived disposable batteries are in demand for applications such as such as artificial cardiac pacemakers, radiofrequency identification devices, remote keyless system, and sensors, where replacing or recharging a battery is not possible or desirable.
"If you have a pacemaker, you don't want to undergo surgery every 10 years to replace the battery," Liang said. "What if a battery could last 30 to 50 years? Our fundamental research is opening up that possibility through a new design mechanism."
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More information: "Pushing the Theoretical Limit of Li-CFx Batteries: A Tale of Bi-functional Electrolyte." pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/ja5026358
Journal reference: Journal of the American Chemical Society
When Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers incorporated a solid lithium thiophosphate electrolyte into a lithium-carbon fluoride battery, the device generated a 26 percent higher capacity than what would be its theoretical maximum if each component acted independently. Credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2014-04-double-duty-electrolyte-enables-chemistry-longer-lived.html#jCp
Tech Ping!....................
Energy Ping!..............
It’s Got Electrolytes!
Brawndo Battery!....................
This is indeed good news. My wife’s Medtronic pacemakers only lasted 5 years last time and the replacements have 3 years on them. It was 80K $ to replace them last time...
Unfortunately now that we have death panels, she probably won’t get another set.
Only $29.99....................
I want this yesterday.
I’m actually a bit surprised that device manufacturers haven’t devised a through-the-skin, inductive charger to eliminate the surgery required for battery replacement.
Probably the small but not zero risk of leakage and fire.
Oh, goody! Another miracle battery. I think that’s about the 99th one I’ve read about in the last 30 years. I’m sure production is just a couple of years away too, just as soon as the manufacturing issues are worked out of course.
It just keeps going, and going, and going.............................and going...................
Rechargeable lithium batteries have a propensity to explode under the right circumstances..............
High-density lithium ion batteries are chemically unstable. The only thing that keeps them safe is the active control chip they contain. It monitors their charge state, charge and discharge profile, and temperature.
It's amazing that they're allowed on aircraft at all.
$omebody grea$ed the proper palm$....................
Thanks Red Badger.
Pacemaker battery that lasts 30 to 50 years, sounds lovely. Other than the whole, I’ve had a pacemaker for 50 years thing.
Those pacemaker batteries should use wireless charging.
The end of the charger? Wireless system can recharge EVERY phone in your office...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3147622/posts
please add me to your tech ping, thanks!
“I’m actually a bit surprised that device manufacturers haven’t devised a through-the-skin, inductive charger to eliminate the surgery required for battery replacement.”
It is odd. Well maybe not so odd... They don’t actually replace the batteries, they replace the whole unit when the battery goes. As I said, it was eighty thousand for the pair of them including the surgery to install them.
These are not heart pacemakers. They are for deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease.
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