A team of researchers at China’s Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, have developed a revolutionary new type of battery. Their gas-solid hydride ion battery is revolutionary for several reasons:
- It is the first battery to store electricity and hydrogen at the same time.
- This dual process occurs at room temperature, making it practical.
- The hydrogen energy utilization ratio is over 93%, making it efficient too.
How This Revolutionary New Type of Battery Works
The Dalian prototype does away with lithium completely. Instead, it uses magnesium metal and abundant hydrogen gas for its electrodes. To complete the picture, a solid electrolyte provides the highway for the hydride ions to travel.
The hydrogen gas converts into hydride ions, when discharging this revolutionary new type of battery. In parallel, the magnesium metal oxidizes to form magnesium hydride.
These two electrochemical processes combine to simultaneously release heat and electrical power.
Key Performance Metrics of Revolutionary Battery
- Delivers an initial discharge capacity of 1,526 mille-amp hours per gram.
- Has a relatively low charge-discharge electrical efficiency, around 56%.
- Provides an outstanding 93.9% efficiency when used as hydrogen storage.
- Works in a temperature range between 20ºC/70ºF and 90ºC/200ºF.
- Retains over 70% of initial capacity, after 60 charge-discharge cycles.
Potential Use For This Unusual Battery
The voltage output is low. Even stacking 10 cells together produces just 2.4 volts, sufficient for an LED bulb.
On the positive side though, this is a safe energy storage medium. It contains no lithium and there is no danger of metal dendrites.
When teamed with secondary energy storage, this revolutionary new type of battery could help power fuel cells, vehicles, or drones, and create highly efficient hydrogen-electricity co-storage grids.
So this is definitely a step in the right direction, albeit something of a loner.
More Information
Batteries and Hydrogen for Grid Stability
Rechargeable Lithium-Hydrogen Gas Battery
Preview Image: Gas-Solid Hydrogen Hydride Battery
Research Report from Dalian Institute
News Commentary From China Daily
