Discovery about new battery overturns decades of false assumptions

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2015/oct/discovery-about-new-battery-overturns-decades-false-assumptions

[font face=Serif][font size=5]Discovery about new battery overturns decades of false assumptions[/font]

10/06/2015


[font size=3]CORVALLIS, Ore. – New findings at Oregon State University have overturned a scientific dogma that stood for decades, by showing that potassium can work with graphite in a potassium-ion battery – a discovery that could pose a challenge and sustainable alternative to the widely-used lithium-ion battery.

Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in devices all over the world, ranging from cell phones to laptop computers and electric cars. But there may soon be a new type of battery based on materials that are far more abundant and less costly.

A potassium-ion battery has been shown to be possible. And the last time this possibility was explored was when Herbert Hoover was president, the Great Depression was in full swing and the Charles Lindbergh baby kidnapping was the big news story of the year – 1932.

“For decades, people have assumed that potassium couldn’t work with graphite or other bulk carbon anodes in a battery,” said Xiulei (David) Ji, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor of chemistry in the College of Science at Oregon State University.

…[/font][/font]

[olddots]

1. this is good news

lithium supply could be a new nightmare .

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Of course, potassium atoms weigh a lot more ...

Last edited Sat Oct 10, 2015, 09:37 AM - Edit history (1)

Energy density is usually a priority, so people have investigated high-energy-density materials more thoroughly. With each potassium atom weighing more than five lithium atoms (but each providing only one electron in electrochemical reactions) potassium offers lower energy density than lithium, so has drawn less interest. Magnesium and aluminum atoms weigh much less than potassium atoms, but provide two and three electrons, respectively, so there is much more interest in those metals.

Sodium, which is a bit less hazardous to handle than potassium, has been used in a number of battery configurations, mostly non-rechargable up to now:
http://phys.org/news/2015-03-na-ion-batteries-closer-li-ion.html
http://www.nature.com/news/the-rechargeable-revolution-a-better-battery-1.14815

[Finishline42]

3. Please edit

Please edit
"Sodium, which is a bit less hazardous to handle than sodium"

Just trying to follow your line of reasoning.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Sorry about that.

Just pointing out that there are reasons potassium hasn't gotten much consideration.

[Finishline42]

5. No problem

Knew it was an unintentional mistake. Thought you would want to know.