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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."

3 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. Just think of the possibilities! by naich · · Score: 5, Interesting

    We could use the generated electricity to power desalinisation plants.

    1. Re:Just think of the possibilities! by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Interesting

      We could use the generated electricity to power desalinisation plants.

      I think you are trying to be funny, but this actually makes sense, and there are proposals to do exactly this. Here is how it works:

      • Step 1: Concentrate brine in large evaporation ponds
      • Step 2: Generate electricity from the osmotic difference between this brine and normal seawater
      • Step 3: Use the electricity to split seawater into fresh water and brine
      • Step 4: Recycle the brine back into the evaporation ponds
      • Step 5: Profit!

      The reason this works is that you are effectively collecting the solar energy that shines on the evaporation ponds.

  2. Re:Isn't this already in practice elsewhere??? by wjousts · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...spanning the "afsluitdijk".

    Cat just jump on your keyboard?