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New Lithium-Air Battery Delivers 10 Times the Energy Density
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."
I'm fully aware that there are dangerous things around the house. But most of them are well known by Joe User.
A slightly broken laptop battery burning down the house isn't.
It isn't statistically likely your laptop will catch fire. But considering the number of laptops out there, it's just a matter of time. Having ten times the energy density just means the difference between a scorched desktop and a burned down house.
Just to make clear that progress isn't always beneficial.
That is my knee-jerk reaction as well. There is a rather variable component that the user is expected to provide in the operating environment. How does it respond to various changes in the environment? How does the introduction of gases like methane affect performance for example? I have a particularly gassy friend who childishly enjoys his flatulation...(I think he needs some medical help.) And what about other things like smokers, various air densities at different altitudes? What about other applications like space?
Consistency and reliability is rather important when it comes to electrical power and devices that use it. Even if it is very safe, other factors need to be considered as well.
[citation needed]
Thomas A. Knight
Author of The Time Weaver
[citation needed... again]
Thomas A. Knight
Author of The Time Weaver