Magnesium batteries show mettle

May 21/28, 2003

Researchers from Bar-Ilan University in Israel have developed rechargeable batteries made from magnesium, a cheap, abundant and relatively environmentally friendly metal.

The batteries can be recharged as many as 3,000 times, lose power slowly, and have a working temperature range of -40 to 100 degrees Celsius. They are also safe and maintenance-free, making them good candidates for large-size applications like powerplant load-leveling, according to the researchers.

The key to making batteries that use magnesium as a positive electrode was finding suitable negative electrode and electrolyte materials. Batteries use a cycle of chemical reactions between positive and negative electrodes to release energy stored in the electrolyte. The researchers' prototype uses a molybdenum sulfide negative electrode and liquid and solid electrolytes of organic, or carbon-based, and organo-metallic compounds.

The batteries have an energy density of 60 Watt hours per kilogram, which is higher than existing nickel cadmium and lead acid batteries, but lower than lithium batteries. The researchers are working to increase the energy density of the batteries.

The batteries could be used in practical devices in two to five years, according to the researchers. The work appeared in the April 9, 2003 issue of Advanced Materials.


Page One

Hydrogen storage eased

Flexible display slims down

Simulated evolution gets complex

Model explains market movements

News briefs:
Big qubits linked over distance
Software maps group work
Magnesium batteries show mettle
Nanotubes smash length record
DNA sensor changes color
Sensor serves up body slices

Research Watch blog

View from the High Ground Q&A
How It Works

RSS Feeds:
News  | Blog

Ad links:
Buy an ad link


Advertisements:



Ad links: Clear History

Buy an ad link

 
Home     Archive     Resources    Feeds     Glossary
TRN Finder     Research Dir.    Events Dir.      Researchers     Bookshelf
   Contribute      Under Development     T-shirts etc.     Classifieds


© Copyright Technology Research News, LLC 2000-2010. All rights reserved.