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Nano-technology
?
An Overview of the battery technology that
powers our mobile society.
Bryan Lamble
Energy Law, Spring 2008
Battery Chemistry
101
Electrochemical reaction - a chemical
reaction between elements which creates
electrons.
Oxidation occurs on the metals
(electrodes), which creates the electrons.
Electrons are transferred down the pile via
the saltwater paper (the electrolyte).
A charge is introduced at one pole, which
builds as it moves down the pile.
Primary vs.
Secondary Batteries
Primary batteries are disposable
because their electrochemical reaction
cannot be reversed.
Secondary batteries are rechargeable,
because their electrochemical reaction
can be reversed by applying a certain
voltage to the battery in the opposite
direction of the discharge.
Standard Modern
Zinc-Carbon:
used in all inexpensive AA, C and
Zinc-Carbon Batteries
D dry-cell batteries. The electrodes are zinc
and carbon, with an acidic paste between
them that serves as the electrolyte.
(disposable)
Alkaline:
Alkaline used in common Duracell and
Energizer batteries, the electrodes are zinc and
manganese-oxide, with an alkaline electrolyte.
(disposable)
Lead-Acid:
Lead-Acid used in cars, the electrodes are lead
and lead-oxide, with an acidic electrolyte.
(rechargeable)
rechargeable,
memory effect
Nickel-metal hydride:
hydride (NiMH)
rechargeable
no memory effect
Lithium-Ion:
Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
rechargeable
no memory effect
Recharge-ability &
the memory effect
Recharge-ability: basically, when the
direction of electron discharge (negative
to positive) is reversed, restoring power.
the Memory Effect:
Effect (generally) When a
battery is repeatedly recharged before it
has discharged more than half of its
power, it will forget its original power
capacity.
Cadmium crystals are the culprit! (NiCd)
Lithium
Periodic Table Symbol: Li
Atomic Weight: 3 (light!)
Like sodium and potassium, an alkali
metal. (Group 1 #s 1 through 7)
Highly reactive, with a high energy
density.
Used to treat manic-depression because it
is particularly effective at calming a
person in a manic state.
Advantages of Using
Li-Ion Batteries
POWER High energy density means greater
power in a smaller package.
160% greater than NiMH
220% greater than NiCd
HIGHER VOLTAGE a strong current allows it
to power complex mechanical devices.
LONG SHELF-LIFE only 5% discharge loss
per month.
Disadvantages of LiIonNiCd.
EXPENSIVE -- 40% more than
DELICATE -- battery temp must be
monitored from within (which raises the
price), and sealed particularly well.
REGULATIONS -- when shipping Li-Ion
batteries in bulk (which also raises the
price).
Class 9 miscellaneous hazardous
material
UN Manual of Tests and Criteria (III,
38.3)
Environmental Impact
of Li-Ion Batteries
Rechargeable batteries are often
recyclable.
Oxidized Lithium is non-toxic, and can
be extracted from the battery,
neutralized, and used as feedstock for
new Li-Ion batteries.
The Intersection
Nano-Science and
-Technology
The attempt to manufacture and control
objects at the atomic and molecular
level (i.e. 100 nanometers or smaller).
1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter
(10-9)
1 nanometer : 1 meter :: 1 marble :
Earth
1 sheet of paper = 100,000 nanometers
Environmental Impacts
and Use of
Nanotechnology
Smaller scale technology means less
resources used and less waste.
The EPA recently issued research grants
to use nanotechnology to develop new
methods of detecting toxins in water.
An example of the
intersection...
From graphite to metallic tin (electrodes), but
metallic tin isnt great eitheryet.
...the biggest challenge for employing
metallic tin...is that it suffers from huge
volume variation during the lithium
insertion/extraction cycle, which leads to
pulverization of the electrode and very
rapid capacity decay."
But nanotechnology could offer a solution...
Another example...
The Nano-technology
solution...
The lithium is stored in a forest of tiny
silicon nanowires, each with a diameter
one one-thousandth the thickness of a
sheet of paper. The nanowires inflate to
four times their normal size as they soak
up lithium but, unlike other silicon
shapes, they do not fracture.
See next slide
Photos
silicon nanowires
Nano + Li-Ion = ?
Nanotechnology and Li-Ion applications in
the commercial sector are apparent...
lighter, more powerful batteries
increase user mobility and equipment
life.
DeWalt 36volt cordless power tools
Nanotechnology & Li-Ion applications in
the residential sector are not so obvious...
HVAC system batteries? Microgenerated energy storage?
Micro-Generated
Energy Storage
Li-Ion batteries high energy density
allows batteries them to power complex
machinery.
Li-Ion batteries recharge quickly and
hold their charge longer, which provides
flexibility to the micro-generator.
particularly helpful for wind and solar
generators!
Lightness, and power per volume allow
for storage and design flexibility.
Finally, an interesting
idea...
Background:
battery research results in annual
capacity gains of approximately 6%
Moores Law: The number of transistors
on a computer microchip will double
every two years. (40 years of proof!)
Idea: If battery technology had developed
at the same rate, a heavy duty car
battery would be the size of a penny.
Links to References
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm
http://everything2.com/e2node/Lithium%2520ion%2520b
attery
http://www.batteryuniversity.com
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2008/january9/na
nowire-010908.html
http://www.nano.gov/html/research/industry.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckminster_Fuller
http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=5210.php