The publication of most of this I saw in the WSJ October 19,2009. Also I researched the Internet for additional information. First just come basics. The molecular weight of lithium is close to 7 while the
molecular weight of oxygen, O2, is 32. Carbon FWIW is 12.
Using air in this manner is NOT new—it has been done with zinc and is referred to as a ZINC-AIR battery.
These I have seen referred to METAL-AIR batteries. The idea is that the discharge/charge cycle the battery draws oxygen from the atmosphere (air) and discharges oxygen to the atmosphere where it is readily absorbed.
The main weight saving is that you don't have store and carry the weight of the oxygen which is
substantial.See first paragraph.
A new type of air-fuelled battery could give up to ten times (claim) the energy storage of designs currently available. This step-change in capacity could pave the way for a new generation of electric cars, mobile phones and laptops. For cars, some are rather glibly talking 500 miles per charge and recharge times measured in less than 30 minutes!
Continue reading "Lithium-Air battery with enormous capacity potential?—Carl Schwab" »