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New Lithium-Air Battery Delivers 10 Times the Energy Density

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the under-water-to-stay-above-water dept.

Al writes "A company called PolyPlus has developed lithium metal-air batteries that have 10 times the energy density of regular lithium-ion batteries. The anode is made up entirely of lithium metal, and the surrounding air acts as the cathode, making the batteries incredibly energy dense. Previous efforts to make lithium metal batteries have been stymied by the sensitivity of lithium to water in the air. The new batteries use a sophisticated membrane to protect the lithium anode and PolyPlus has even created a version that works underwater, by drawing oxygen through the membrane. Lithium metal-air batteries could be light-weight power sources for demand for plug-in hybrid vehicles and consumer electronics; IBM also recently announced that it would develop lithium metal-air batteries for the energy grid and for transportation."

6 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. Same old story... by abigsmurf · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "it expects these batteries to be on the market within a few years"

    Just like those ultra efficient, cheap, solar panels we've been promised 'next year' each year for the last decade.

    1. Re:Same old story... by berend+botje · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Well, that depends on the price of a kWh of electricity. In Europe prices are generally a lot higher than in the USA. I'm looking at a price of around $0.40 per kWh. That alone makes solar cells a viable alternative.

    2. Re:Same old story... by berend+botje · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I stand corrected. You and OP used a perfectly normal word. You are right in your assertion I should have looked it up before posting.

      Thanks for expanding my vocabulary.

    3. Re:Same old story... by Rei · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Come now, mods, that wasn't a troll. It's hard for people to admit mistakes in a discussion (I myself fall into that same trap from time to time). Don't discourage it by calling them trolls for doing so.

      --
      I tore these out of your symbol, and they turned into paper.
  2. Re:I love all these green techs by TheRaven64 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Unless they are in the store at an affordable price it doesn't matter to me

    In that case, I suggest you read Consumer Weekly, instead of a technology news site.

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    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
  3. Re:Explosions by realnrh · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Any time someone thinks they've idiot-proofed anything, the universe takes that as a challenge to design a bigger idiot.

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    Long? What do you mean the signature at the bottom of every comment I post on Slashdot is too lo