'Instantly Rechargeable' Battery Could Change the Future of Electric Cars (sciencedaily.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Science Daily: A technology developed by Purdue researchers could provide an "instantly rechargeable" method that is safe, affordable and environmentally friendly for recharging electric and hybrid vehicle batteries through a quick and easy process similar to refueling a car at a gas station. John Cushman, Purdue University distinguished professor of earth, atmospheric and planetary science and a professor of mathematics, presented the research findings "Redox reactions in immiscible-fluids in porous media -- membraneless battery applications" at the recent International Society for Porous Media 9th International Conference in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Cushman co-founded Ifbattery LLC (IF-battery) to further develop and commercialize the technology. "Designing and building enough of these recharging stations requires massive infrastructure development, which means the energy distribution and storage system is being rebuilt at tremendous cost to accommodate the need for continual local battery recharge," said Eric Nauman, co-founder of Ifbattery and a Purdue professor of mechanical engineering, basic medical sciences and biomedical engineering. "Ifbattery is developing an energy storage system that would enable drivers to fill up their electric or hybrid vehicles with fluid electrolytes to re-energize spent battery fluids much like refueling their gas tanks." Mike Mueterthies, Purdue doctoral teaching and research assistant in physics and the third co-founder of Ifbattery, said the flow battery system makes the Ifbattery system unique. "Other flow batteries exist, but we are the first to remove membranes which reduces costs and extends battery life," Mueterthies said. Ifbattery's membrane-free battery demonstrates other benefits as well. "Membrane fouling can limit the number of recharge cycles and is a known contributor to many battery fires," Cushman said. "Ifbattery's components are safe enough to be stored in a family home, are stable enough to meet major production and distribution requirements and are cost effective." For the visual learners, Purdue Research Park has uploaded a video about Ifbattery's "instantly rechargeable" method.

Comments

So, capacitors

[Snotnose]

It's not a battery, it's a big ass capacitor that can take a huge charge instantly and let it our slowly.

Re:So, capacitors

[gumbi west]

A capacitor separates charge. A battery uses a chemical reaction. The speed is just a side effect.

Re:So, capacitors

[jandjmh]

No, it is a real battery. A variant on a flow cell (look it up) that has the novel ability to work without membranes.

This is new?

[Anonymous Coward]

It is a flow battery and the idea has been around for a long time.

The biggest problem is the nasty nature and quantity of chemicals used
 

Re:This is new?

[Gravis Zero]

It is a flow battery and the idea has been around for a long time.

if only you were capable of reading the summary. :/

"Other flow batteries exist, but we are the first to remove membranes which reduces costs and extends battery life,"

Re:This is new?

[Anonymous Coward]

They mentioned power density, but not energy density. Power density means that it can output enough power to run a car. However, even if its energy density is comparable to Lithium batteries, that means you have to pump that much fluid.

The video mentioned water and ethanol, which would put its mass density near that of gasoline. Couldn't find energy density specs for this electrolyte, but if it's in the neighborhood of ZnBr flow batteries, then 200mi of range for a small car could mean pumping 1000+ pounds(well over 100 gal) of fluid to recharge your car.

So, you could retrofit pumps to flow faster(they're currently legally limited to 10gpm in the US), but you still have the massive weight penalty compared to gasoline, so it won't scale to large vehicles or trucks, and definitely not aircraft.

No prototypes yet

[Gravis Zero]

The new company named Ifbattery is still in it's infancy because they are seeking funding to begin making prototypes. So battery of the future is right because it's at least 10 years off at best.

Re:Need to ban gasoline powered cars

[Barsteward]

there are electric trucks.. https://nikolamotor.com/one http://www.wired.co.uk/article... http://www.emoss.biz/electric-...

Re:Some practical questions...

[fyngyrz]

Here's a practical question: Why didn't you read, or understand, the summary?