Researchers at MIT Create Better Liquid Batteries

[qmully]

 

Sadoway, the John F. Elliott Professor of Materials Chemistry, says the new formula allows the battery to work at a temperature more than 200 degrees Celsius lower than the previous formulation. In addition to the lower operating temperature, which should simplify the battery’s design and extend its working life, the new formulation will be less expensive to make, he says.

 

Apparently it uses two molten metals separated by molten salt. They tested that after 10 years of daily charging and discharging the battery can retain 85% of its original capacity.

I think that this is great making the battery more robust and cheaper will help renewable energy resources and electric cars be more economical. It would also be cool if it could be put into phones but we will have to see. Also forgot to add this, they have the same 70% efficiency as the ones in use today and may be even more efficient in future implementations. 

 

Good to finally see some battery technology improvements. Can't wait to see this used.

 

Link: http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/liquid-batteries-renewable-energy-0921

 

Edit: As stingbull said it needs to operate at a temperature around 500 degrees C (I can see how the quote can be misleading) but that is still cooler than the 700 degrees C it needed before. Will be interesting to see where this technology can go.

[Tech_Dreamer]

[The_Evenger]

wait wat...

at least we're seeing more advancements in batteries lately, i swear until a year ago or so they haven't change for a long time.

[Osmium]

Wait this was tested for 10 years or they tested it for a month and estimated based on that? Because there are tons of variables that might skew that estimate. 

[qmully]

Wait this was tested for 10 years or they tested it for a month and estimated based on that? Because there are tons of variables that might skew that estimate. 

I was wondering that too but the article just says after 10 years of daily charging and discharging. I would assume over a short period of time.

[StingBull]

I think you guys are missing something. "operating temperatures of 450 to 500 C" is not a max temp feature. They are not saying your battery can heat up to 500 degrees and it is fine. Your battery MUST be 500 C to work.

 

So no, you won't be seeing this at home anytime soon.

[BonBon Scott]

"the battery can operate at temperatures of 450 to 500 C."

 

Down from 700C, so...we're gettin somewhere.

[Tonylu1595]

Wow now I can drive around with a 500C battery. Hope heating it to 500C wont take up most of my battery itself.

[bob345]

Wat. I feel like you would be wasting energy just by having the battery at running temperature. I see no practical use for a battery technology that likely uses more energy than it can store

[deviant88]

This is stupid..

[ZeroBreaker]

This shit and similar need investment because battery technology is seriously lagging.

Not for modern day smartphones, but places where electricity isn't a certainty, where mobile technology is the only way to access the net.

Nice to see some useful research, hope it works out well.