Home > Press > Reinventing rechargeable batteries
Abstract:
University of Leicester researchers are spearheading the development of a novel type of sustainable zinc-based rechargeable battery for electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid EVs.
By Violetta Mertins
Reinventing rechargeable batteries
UK | Posted on June 19th, 2011The €3.5 million research project, PolyZion, is funded under the EU Seventh Framework Programme and combines world-class research organisations in investigating ionic liquids, conducting plastics, zinc deposition, pulse charging and batteries.
At present, commonly used lead acid, nickel metal hydride or lithium ion rechargeable batteries in electric vehicles have technological, cost and environmental limitations, in addition to short circuiting issues. With predictions that the rapid growth of the global market for EV and hybrid EVs is expected to top $2 billion by 2015 there is good promise for new battery technologies.
A postgraduate researcher with the Department of Chemistry, Claire Fullarton is focused on the design, production and properties of a new type of prototype battery, which would offer an improved performance, safety and environmental sustainability.
"This research involves the development of a new class of fast rechargeable batteries based on a zinc-plastic system incorporating a novel, inexpensive, environmentally sustainable solvent," said Miss Fullarton.
"This approach is necessitated by the problems associated with petrol and diesel powered vehicles, such as environmental impact, rising fuel prices, the looming shortage of oil and the limitations of batteries available for electric vehicles."
The project combines a new low-cost, air and moisture insensitive and environmentally sustainable class of electrolytes (ionic liquids) together with nano-structured zinc deposits and novel ultra-fast charging conducting polymers.
Several small and medium enterprise partners collaborate in the project with expertise in technology development and specialised materials, as well as large industrial partners with industrial experience of battery manufacture and state-of-the-art testing facilities. The consortium also includes two organisations with world-class research expertise from an 'Emerging Economy' (Russia) and a 'High Income' country outside the EU (Canada).
Overseeing the project, a reader in Physical Chemistry, Dr Karl S Ryder added:
"This is an exciting new project aimed at exploring and developing new energy storage technologies for a range of power applications but focused particularly on electric vehicles. The problem with many electric cars is that the battery technology is often quite heavy and needs frequent recharging. Newer technologies such as lithium ion are very good but are quite expensive and surrounded by serious safety concerns - they are prone to burn fiercely on impact!
"Our work is aimed at developing an exciting and totally new battery technology that is light-weight and environmentally sustainable as well as both effective and safe."
The institutions and organisations involved with the project are: University of Leicester, C-Tech Innovation, Fundacion CIDETEC, Celaya Emparanza y Galdos SA (Cegasa), University of Porto, KEMA Nederland BV, AE Favorsky Irkutsk Institute of Chemistry, Institute de Recherche d'Hydro-Québec, Rescoll.
This research is being presented at the Festival of Postgraduate Research on Thursday, 16 June. The annual one-day exhibition of postgraduate research offers organisations and the public the opportunity to meet the next generation of innovators and cutting-edge researchers. More than 50 University of Leicester students will explain the real world implications of their research in an engaging and accessible way. The event is open to the public and free to attend.
More information at www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/sd/pgrd/fpgr.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Miss Claire Fullarton
Dr Karl S Ryder
Copyright © University of Leicester
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
| Related News Press |
News and information
'Find the Lady' in the quantum world: International team of researchers presents method for quantum-mechanical swapping of positions October 18th, 2017
Long nanotubes make strong fibers: Rice University researchers advance characterization, purification of nanotube wires and films October 17th, 2017
Spinning strands hint at folding dynamics: Rice University lab uses magnetic beads to model microscopic proteins, polymers October 17th, 2017
Spin current detection in quantum materials unlocks potential for alternative electronics October 15th, 2017
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
Long nanotubes make strong fibers: Rice University researchers advance characterization, purification of nanotube wires and films October 17th, 2017
Spinning strands hint at folding dynamics: Rice University lab uses magnetic beads to model microscopic proteins, polymers October 17th, 2017
Rice U. study: Vibrating nanoparticles interact: Placing nanodisks in groups can change their vibrational frequencies October 16th, 2017
Spin current detection in quantum materials unlocks potential for alternative electronics October 15th, 2017
Possible Futures
'Find the Lady' in the quantum world: International team of researchers presents method for quantum-mechanical swapping of positions October 18th, 2017
Long nanotubes make strong fibers: Rice University researchers advance characterization, purification of nanotube wires and films October 17th, 2017
Spinning strands hint at folding dynamics: Rice University lab uses magnetic beads to model microscopic proteins, polymers October 17th, 2017
Rice U. study: Vibrating nanoparticles interact: Placing nanodisks in groups can change their vibrational frequencies October 16th, 2017
Academic/Education
Two Scientists Receive Grants to Develop New Materials: Chad Mirkin and Monica Olvera de la Cruz recognized by Sherman Fairchild Foundation August 16th, 2017
Environment
Single ‘solitons’ promising for optical technologies October 9th, 2017
Solar-to-fuel system recycles CO2 to make ethanol and ethylene: Berkeley Lab advance is first demonstration of efficient, light-powered production of fuel via artificial photosynthesis September 19th, 2017
High-tech electronics made from autumn leaves: New process converts biomass waste into useful electronic devices August 30th, 2017
Energy
New nanomaterial can extract hydrogen fuel from seawater: Hybrid material converts more sunlight and can weather seawater's harsh conditions October 4th, 2017
Researchers set time limit for ultrafast perovskite solar cells September 22nd, 2017
Copper catalyst yields high efficiency CO2-to-fuels conversion: Berkeley Lab scientists discover critical role of nanoparticle transformation September 20th, 2017
Solar-to-fuel system recycles CO2 to make ethanol and ethylene: Berkeley Lab advance is first demonstration of efficient, light-powered production of fuel via artificial photosynthesis September 19th, 2017
Automotive/Transportation
Organic/inorganic sulfur may be key for safe rechargeable lithium batteries October 12th, 2017
GLOBALFOUNDRIES Introduces New 12nm FinFET Technology for High-Performance Applications September 20th, 2017
Battery Technology/Capacitors/Generators/Piezoelectrics/Thermoelectrics/Energy storage
On the road to fire-free, lithium-ion batteries made with asphalt October 12th, 2017
Organic/inorganic sulfur may be key for safe rechargeable lithium batteries October 12th, 2017
How to draw electricity from the bloodstream: A one-dimensional fluidic nanogenerator with a high power-conversion efficiency September 11th, 2017
A revolution in lithium-ion batteries is becoming more realistic September 5th, 2017
Research partnerships
'Find the Lady' in the quantum world: International team of researchers presents method for quantum-mechanical swapping of positions October 18th, 2017
Long nanotubes make strong fibers: Rice University researchers advance characterization, purification of nanotube wires and films October 17th, 2017
Rice U. lab surprised by ultraflat magnets: Researchers create atom-thick alloys with unanticipated magnetic properties October 13th, 2017
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
University Technology Transfer & Patents
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||