Scientists from Vienna University of Technology say they have created a brand new type of battery. They believe their new oxygen-ion battery, as they call it, has exceptional durability. And moreover it avoids the need for using rare materials, while simultaneously solving the problem of fire hazards. We are excited to share this news, especially as the new battery has several exciting properties.
Exciting Properties of New Oxygen-Ion Battery
The new battery from Vienna, Austria cannot compete with lithium-ion, in terms of energy density. However, it appears to be capable of an exceptionally long life span, because its storage capacity can be reinstated.
The researchers together with their Spanish collaborators have filed a patent application, according to Sci Tech Daily. They say they have high hopes their new oxygen-ion battery will prove ideal for large-scale energy storage.
Ceramic Materials Key to This Exciting Development
The team is conducting their research at the university’s chemical technologies and analytics department. They have deep experience of the role of ceramic materials in fuel cells, and decided to investigate whether they could be used to make batteries.
The ceramic materials they chose for their new oxygen-ion battery are able to absorb, and release doubly-negatively-charged oxygen ions. They found a way to get the oxygen ions to migrate from one ceramic material to another by applying an electric voltage, and then migrate back again, thereby generating electric current.
This new battery concept is not suitable for smartphones or electric cars, because it only generates a third of the energy of lithium-ion. However it could keep going almost indefinitely, because it can replenish its oxygen losses from the ambient air.
This could prove to be an elegant solution for bulk storage of energy from solar or wind. The battery’s long service life, lack of rare elements, and non-flammability are all positives. And they seem to assure it a useful role in the future energy mix of the green economy.
More Information
Lead-Acid Versus Nickel-Cadmium Batteries
Charging E-Bikes and Phones – New Alert
