Refillable, Biodegradable, Energy Dense Battery Developed From Sugar

Sugar battery developers Y.H. Percival Zhang (right)and Zhiguang Zhu.
Credit: Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

An environmentally friendly battery that runs on sugar has been developed by a research team at Virginia Tech.

The battery also has a very high energy density compared to previously developed sugar based fuel cells which allows it to run longer before needing to be refueled.

Conventional batteries usually use platinum as a catalyst. Instead, this battery uses sugar and a non-natural synthetic enzymatic pathway to generate electricity. Because of the process, the main byproducts of the sugar battery are electricity and water making this battery environmentally friendly.

It is also easily refilled with sugar extending its usability while also making it low cost, non-toxic, and biodegradable.

The team is confident that this battery will one day be used to power electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets.

New Metal-Free Flow Battery Promises Reliable and Economical Renewable Energy

Scientists at Harvard University have developed a new flow battery using less expensive chemicals and no metal electrocatalyst. This battery can help in storing electricity which can be used when renewable energy sources such as wind and solar does not deliver peak outputs.

A flow battery is a rechargeable battery where chemicals dissolved in liquids are used to charge the battery and store energy.

The most commercially used flow battery is the Vanadium Redox Flow Battery. These are already used by NASA in their space programs since the chemicals can be stored in tanks instead of existing battery units which integrates the necessary components in one unit. With flow batteries, the chemicals can be stored somewhere else and be used only when needed without sacrificing or getting rid of the other components.

Since the size of the tanks storing the chemicals are independent of the unit that converts these chemicals to electricity, the amount of energy that can be stored is limited only by the size of the tanks. This allows energy to be stored at a lower cost compared with traditional batteries.

The flow battey developed by Harvard differs from the Vanadium flow battery in that it uses less expensive chemicals and does not require catalysts that are made of precious metals.

Last year, MIT developed a hydrogen-bromide flow battery that generates three times more energy than current flow batteries.

New Rechargeable Hydrogen -Bromide Flow Battery Developed

Researchers at MIT have developed a hydrogen-bromide flow battery that generates three times more power than current flow batteries.

A flow battery is a battery that is recharged by using two chemical components dissolved in a liquid and separated by a membrane. The ions exchange through the membrane which provides the electrical current.

In the case of the MIT battery, they removed the membrane separating the two liquids. Using a process called laminar flow, the two liquids are pumped and streamed through two electrodes to store or release energy without mixing.

By eliminating the membrane and using inexpensive chemicals such as bromide, the cost of a flow battery goes down making it economically viable.

The RoboBee - Tiny Flying Robot Developed and Inspired By Biology and Insects

Engineers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a tiny robot insect, the size of a penny, that has the ability of controlled flight. The RoboBee, as it is called, weighs around 80 milligrams and has a wingspan of 3 centimeters.

The RoboBees project as it is called aims to develop technologies that can open up advances in robotics, nanoscience and micromanufacturing. One of the goals of the project is to see how to build smaller power sources or batteries as well as designing efficient control systems.

The RoboBee has the ability of controlled flight and can even hover around an area and move laterally in any direction. It is inspired by the biological structure of a fly with submillimeter-scale anatomy and two wafer-thin wings. The wings beat at 120 times a second making the wings invisible to the eye when flapping. Another aspect of the RoboBee is the materials it is made up of; plastic, lightweight carbon fiber and ceramic.

The project is still in its early stages but engineers are now looking into further evolving the technology enabling the tiny robot insects to move autonomously, be self-powered, and have tiny computer brains.

With the combination of biology, design engineering, materials engineering, and computer technology, the RoboBee can be used in the future for various applications such as search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and even be used in crop pollination. It can also lead into the development of other tiny robots that can be used in other fields such as in medicine and exploration.

Latest Studies and Developments in Lithium Ion Battery Technology Presented at American Chemical Society Meet

Lithium Ion batteries are used in most, if not all, electronic devices. Li-ion batteries can be made up of a single battery unit or made up of several units called cells.

Lithium ion batteries are the most popular type of batteries for electronics and even in electric cars because of its long battery life and performance. This is due to to their energy density slow loss of charge when not in use.

The American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society had several presentations on the study and resulting developments in lithium ion battery technology. Various scientific and educational organizations presented their studies during the event.

Abstracts of these studies are enumerated below and in separate articles (see related links).

Studying Lithium Transport and Kinetics To Develop High Energy Conversion Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries

Brookhaven National Laboratory research on conversion reactions for li-ion batteries may open up the development of high-energy conversion electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

Abstract: Conversion reactions for lithium ion battery cathodes

Jason Graetz, Brookhaven National Laboratory
Phone: 631-344-3242
Email: graetz@alumni.caltech.edu

Silicon and Carbon Composite Material In Lithium Ion Batteries for High Capacity and Long Cycle Life

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reports on its study on the use of composite silicon and carbon materials as anodes for high capacity and long cycle lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

Abstract: Fundamental microstructural designing concepts for high capacity and long cycle life of anode materials based on carbon and silicon for lithium ion battery

Chongmin Wang, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Phone: 509-371-6268
Email: Chongmin.wang@pnnl.gov

Studying Lithium Ion Intercalation Properties Using Nanostructures, Vanadium Pentoxide and Lithium Titanate

The University of Washington used vanadium pentoxide and lithium titanate as model electrode materials in studying factors that influence lithium-ion intercalation properties. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

Abstract: Nanostructured electrodes for lithium ion batteries

Guozhong Cao, University of Washington
Phone: 206-616-9084
Email: gzcao@u.washington.edu

Ultrathin Coating of Aluminum Oxide As Negative Electrode for Lithium Ion Batteries

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology reports on its research on aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and its use as an ultrathin coating on patterned silicon wafer (p-Si) as a negative electrode for lithium ion batteries by surface sol-gel method. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

Abstract: Ultrathin coating of Al2O3 on negative electrode for lithium ion batteries

Minho Yang, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Phone: 82-42-350-1152
Email: minho.yang@kaist.ac.kr

Flame Retardant Ions (FRIons) As Alternative Anion For Lithium Ion Batteries

Case Western Reserve University used bicyclic-borate complexes as an alternative anion for lithium ion batteries to study flame retardant types of ions, or FRIons. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

Abstract: Bicyclic-borate synthesis for use in lithium ion batteries

Ryan J Kowalski, Case Western Reserve University
Phone: 414-899-5845
Email: rjk151@case.edu

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Research on Using Silicon as Alternative Anode Materials

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reports on its research on carbon cross-linked Si/SiC nanospheres as the network building block and conducting film in lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society

Abstract: Carbon cross-linked Si/SiC nanosphere as advanced anode of lithium-ion batteries

Junhong Chen, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Phone: 414-229-2615
Email: jhchen@uwm.edu

University of Kentucky Reports on Heteroaromatic Molecules (Redox Shuttle) as Electrolyte Additives in Lithium Ion Batteries

University of Kentucky reports on its research on redox shuttles which are derivatives of fused heteroaromatic molecules, as additives in lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

Abstract: Stability and reactivity of redox shuttle additives for lithium-ion batteries

Selin Ergun, University of Kentucky
Phone: 859-257-9545
Email: selin.ergun@uky.edu

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology Presents Properties of Graphene and Graphite as Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology presented its research on graphene and graphite and its properties as a material for lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

Abstract: DFT design and study of lithium-ion battery electrolytes and anode

Jyh-Chiang Jiang, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
Phone: 288627376653
Email: jcjiang@mail.ntust.edu.tw

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Uses In Situ X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) in Studying Voltage Fading Pathways in Li-Ion Batteries

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory used in situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) to study mechanisms on voltage fading in lithium batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. Abstract on XRD follows:

Investigating the voltage fading mechanism in Li1.2Co0.1Mn0.55Ni0.15O2 lithium-ion battery cathode by in situ x-ray diffraction studies

Debasish Mohanty, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Phone: 865-576-0813
Email: mohantyd@ornl.gov

Nanodiamond-derived carbon nano-onions (N-CNOs) As Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

University of Kentucky during the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, presented its research on nanodiamond-derived carbon nano-onions (N-CNOs) as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their high capacity and stable cycling performance. The abstract is as follows:

Nanodiamond-derived carbon nano-onions as negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Mahendra K Sreeramoju, University of Kentucky
Phone: 859-257-5393
Email: mksree2@uky.edu

University of Houston Presents Improving Energy Density and Cycle of Life of Silicon Anodes with Nanotechnology

The University of Houston presented its research on the improvemen of energy density and cycle of life of silicon anodes. It was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. The abstract of the research follows:

High energy density silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries: Combining hollow nanospheres with conductive polymer binder

Yan Yao, University of Houston
Phone: 713-743-4432
Email: yyao4@uh.edu

University of Southern California Presents Research on Porous Structured Silicon as Anode Material In Li-Ion Batteries

The University of Southern California presented its research on porous structured silicon as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. The abstract on the porous structured silicon material follows:
Porous structured silicon for lithium-ion battery anode

Chongwu Zhou, University of Southern California
Phone: 213-740-4708
Email: chongwuz@usc.edu

Michigan Technological University Research on Nanostructured Anode Materials in Lithium Ion Batteries

Michigan Technological University presented its research on nanostructured anode materials such as silicon nanorods and titanium dioxide nanotubes as anode materials for lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. The abstract on nanostructured materials in li-ion batteries follows:

New directions in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries: Lessons from in situ electron microscopy

Reza Shahbazian-Yassar, Michigan Technological University
Phone: 906-487-3581
Email: reza@mtu.edu

University of Texas at Austin Abstract on Organic Cathode Materials on Lithium Ion Batteries

University of Texas at Austin presented its research on the development of organic cathode materials for lithium ion batteries. This research opens up the developmenet of green materials for batteries as an alternative to lithium cobalt oxide. The research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. The abstract of the research follows:

Quino(triazene)s: A new class of organic cathode materials for the lithium ion battery

Charles Daniel Varnado, The University of Texas at Austin
Phone: 512-471-1419
Email: cdvarnado@cm.utexas.edu

Argonne National Laboratory Presents Research on Surface and Interface Performance on Lithium Ion Batteries

Argonne National Laboratory presented its research on surface and interface interactions with lithium ion batteries. This research was presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society as part of the 245th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. The abstract on the presentation follows:

First principles atomistic modeling of surface and interfacial effects in lithium ion battery materials

Maria K Y Chan, Argonne National Laboratory
Phone: 630-252-4811
Email: mchan@anl.gov