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New Rechargeable Battery Uses Water

Posted by samzenpus on from the I-want-my-water-engine dept.

fergus07 writes "Scientists at Stanford have developed a battery that uses nanotechnology to create electricity from the difference in salt content between fresh water and sea water. The researchers hope to use the technology to create power plants where fresh-water rivers flow into the ocean. The new 'mixing entropy' battery alternately immerses its electrodes in river water and sea water to produce the electrical power."

4 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Re:ALready an energy shortage there. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Wow, two fallacies in one!

    A sweeping generalization AND a stunning ignorance of the hydrologic cycle.

    Well done good sir, well done *slow clap*

  2. Bass Akwards! by CatsupBoy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    After the battery is discharged, the salt water is drained and fresh water is added to begin the cycle again.

    This is awesome, we can use up all our fresh water and would have an unlimited supply of salt water!

    1. Re:Bass Akwards! by CatsupBoy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You do know that there is an amazingly simple way to separate the salt from the water, right? It is called evaporation.

      The concepts of desalination are certainly quite simple, its the economics that are complicated.

  3. Hurray for environmentalists by DNS-and-BIND · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Ever wonder why environmentalists have such a bad name? Here's a new concept and they're already shooting it down, based on nothing more than a vague assertion.

    --
    Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!