Water-based nuclear battery

     Batteries play an important role in everyday life. We use them for our cellphones, cars, computers, and many more. Scientist are constantly looking and seeking for ways to improve battery life. Lithium-ion batteries have been used for portable and rechargeable electronics, but, they do have some drawbacks, including heat issues, and being made with rare toxic elements.Now, researchers at the University of Southern California have found an alternative in the form of a water-based organic battery that is not only cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but also holds the potential to store large amounts of energy.

      The technology developed by the USC team is what’s called an organic redux flow battery. According to the team, the tanks can be of any size in comparison to the cells, so the total amount of energy that the system can store depends on how large the tanks are. The researchers mentioned that the batteries last for about 5,000 recharge cycles, giving them an estimated 15-year lifespan, but lithium ion batteries degrade after around 1,000 cycles, and cost 10 times more to manufacture.



     Instead of metals or other toxic materials, the team used organic compounds. Researchers were able to develop materials based on oxidized organic compounds called quinones, which are found in plants, fungi, bacteria, and some animals and involved in photosynthesis and cellular respiration. The quinones used in the new battery are anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid or anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonic acid on the negative side, and 1,2-dihydrobenzoquinone- 3,5-disulfonic acid on the positive side of the cell. The quinones used in the flow battery are currently produced from naturally occurring hydrocarbons, but the team hopes one day to derive them directly from carbon dioxide.


It’s a long-lasting and more efficient nuclear battery that could be used for many applications. It can be used as a reliable energy source for automobiles to space flights. Water acts as a buffer and turned out to be very useful in increasing its efficiency.

Sources:

 Szondy, David. "New Water-based Organic Battery Is Cheap, Rechargeable and Eco-friendly." New Water-based Organic Battery Is Cheap, Rechargeable and Eco-friendly. N.p., 29 June 2014. Web. 27 Sept. 2014.



"First water-based nuclear battery can be used to generate electrical energy." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 September 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140916132519.htm>.

"Anthraquinone-2-sulfonic Acid, Sodium Salt, Monohydrate 90% (500g)." Anthraquinone 2 Sulfonic Acid Sodium Salt Monohydrate 90 500g from Cole-Parmer. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2014.