16:51 14 February 2017
Harvard scientists are revolutionising battery technology with their “flow battery” designed to store energy in liquid solutions in order to retain their capacity and discharge rates for up to 10 years.
The research team discovered that they could develop stable, water-soluble charge particles resistant to degradation by modifying molecules in electrolytes ferrocene and violegen. By doing so, the solution only loses 1per cent of its capacity every 1,000 cycles.
Aside from longer battery life, the new technology also makes battery safer. Battery packs that are made using water are non-corrosive and non-toxic, which means that there is no need to worry about dangerous exploding smartphones in your pocket. Also, the use of water is more cost effective ensuring battery-based energy storage solutions can be made affordable.