The Future of Lithium Batteries
Contents
Basics
- As of now nothing beats the energy/kg of Lithium Ion Batteries in most applications (outside of weird applications like aircraft where mass lost viaa chemical use increases efficiency anf flight charachteristics greatly
- HOWEVER lithium is a nonrenewable resource, and even if recycled it takes large amounts of energy to process
- Also Li-Ion batteries can form Dendrites leading to falure wjich is sometimes catostrophic (Cough Cough, Samsung Galaxy S7)
- Thus there is almost a new "gold rush" to develop an alternative
Current ALternatives
Very Small Scale
Supercapacitors
- Supercapacitors can be used for small loads with the right circuitry
Small Scale
- SOme near term solutions, but nothing truely effective and cost competitive as of early 2020
Medium Scale
- Lead Acid Batteries
- Nickle-Metal Hydride Batteries
- Zinc Air Batteries
- Fuel in an ICE (Engine) ECE or a fuel cell ( Methanol, DME, Bio-Diesel, Bio-CNG, Cryogenic Hydrogen, or Pyrolisis Oil or HTL biocrude made into petrochemical products
Large Scale
- Same as medium scale, but either more modules, or larger modules
- Low level FES systems
Very Large Scale
Future Solutions/Solutions in Development
Micropower (ie very small - small) scale hydrogen storage and usage
Fuel Cells
Compressed gas chemical energy instead of lithium electrochemical energy is 10-100x more energy dense by weight. So why not try small cylinders like they use for home carbonated water makers?
Solid State Batteries
Sodium
- Uses a solid electrolite
- Can use sodium instead of lithium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0nA8CfxBqA
