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U.S. engineers find way to build a better battery

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by TimBikes, Mar 12, 2009.

  1. TimBikes

    TimBikes New Member

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    Amazing:

    U.S. engineers have found a way to make lithium batteries that are smaller, lighter, longer lasting and capable of recharging in seconds.

     The researchers believe the quick-charging batteries could open up new applications, including better batteries for electric cars.

    And because they use older materials in a new way, the batteries could be available for sale in two to three years, a team from Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported on Wednesday in the journal Nature.

    This could be, as Obama likes to say, a "game changer".
     
    #1 TimBikes, Mar 12, 2009
  2. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    #2 Bill Merchant, Mar 12, 2009
  3. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Wow. cool. excellent article! Thanks for sharing. :)
     
    #3 Rybold, Mar 12, 2009
  4. kiwibruce

    kiwibruce Junior Member

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    #4 kiwibruce, Mar 12, 2009
  5. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    Brilliant news, this. I don't think the materials science was there 30 years ago. The computer modeling tech certainly wasn't, but you're right that if we'd been keen on this stuff we'd certainly be further along. Better late than never, I suppose. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for these developments to hit the shelf.
     
    #5 tripp, Mar 12, 2009
  6. TimBikes

    TimBikes New Member

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    You can imagine what this could do to the transportation industry. Correct me if I'm wrong here - but assuming this can be engineered and deployed cost effectively, I see no real valid reason for anything but electric vehicles. Pull into a recharging station and charge up in less time than it takes to pump a gallon of gas.
     
    #6 TimBikes, Mar 13, 2009
  7. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    One consideration: if you're going to be moving a lot of energy quickly, say enough to power a car 50 miles, you're going to need some heavy-duty cables and connectors, and even minor resistance can generate a lot of waste heat. A six-hour charge cycle can use an extension cord, a sixty-second cycle will need a big honking low resistance cable. And the EM fields could be intense.
     
    #7 Bill Merchant, Mar 14, 2009
  8. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    The good news is that those are all straightforward engineering issues that will be figured out and resolved if the battery is viable. I'm convinced that a rapid charging station will have a car pull up to a "pump", a robotic connection will be made to the underside of the car, and the financial transaction will be totally authorized without needing to get out of the car or have someone come out to the car.

    In fact the opposite problem may occur....the store owners complaining that rapid charging does not force folks into the store to buy junk.


    (Note after post--That was old fashioned thinking above. Why not recharge while driving. Just pull into the "rail" lane for a charge while driving.)
     
    #8 FL_Prius_Driver, Mar 14, 2009
  9. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    Keep it away from Chevron, et. al.
     
    #9 PriuStorm, Mar 14, 2009
  10. ScubaGypsy

    ScubaGypsy Live Free & Leave No Footprint

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    #10 ScubaGypsy, Mar 15, 2009
  11. nameless dude

    nameless dude New Member

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    #11 nameless dude, Mar 17, 2009
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