New Silicon-Air Battery to Have Unlimited Shelf Life
by Derek Markham in Technology
Non-stop power from a battery with unlimited shelf life. Sounds like a pipe dream, right? Maybe not. Scientists at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have developed an eco-friendly silicon-air battery capable of powering devices for thousands of hours before replacement.
The batteries are created from silicon and oxygen, are lightweight, and have a high tolerance for both extremely dry conditions and high humidity. The creators say that the new battery could be used for medical applications like hearing aids or diabetic pumps, but also for microelectronics and sensors.
“Silicon-air batteries will be used like the ones already in use today. But by using silicon—a safe, non-toxic, stable and more common material—we can create very lightweight batteries with infinite shelf life and high energy capacity.” – lead researcher Yair Ein-Eli
The built-in cathode of conventional batteries is not present in silicon-air batteries, so significant savings could be realized in both weight and cost. The oxygen in our atmosphere is the cathode in silicon-air batteries and current metal-air batteries (used in hearing aids already). Because silicon and oxygen are the two most abundant elements on our planet, this battery could be a breakthrough in clean energy manufacturing.
The researchers estimate that silicon-air batteries can be made more powerful and rechargeable as well in three or four years, and in ten years, it might be possible to build batteries for electric cars from silicon that can be recycled over and over again.
The research was published in the October 2009 issue of Electrochemistry Communications.
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Posted on Nov 29, 2009
batteries, power, silicon-air battery, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
About the Author
Derek Markham
Derek Markham is a father, writer, and social media butterfly based in New Mexico, with a passion for all things sustainable. For the last ten years, he's worked in the natural foods industry, most recently running a small co-operative grocery store. In his personal time, he loves to ride his bike (an 80s Trek singlespeed), go bouldering and slacklining, and he can usually be found in the middle of about ten different books. You can also find him on other sites including Twitter and Natural Papa.9 Responses to “New Silicon-Air Battery to Have Unlimited Shelf Life”
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Bud
Nov 30, 2009
Ah so all we have to do is somehow convert sand into the apparently camera-shy battery you have so vaguely described without the any concern for facts or references. Problem solved. Smooth sailing from here on out!
jon
Nov 30, 2009
this is amazing
too bad it will get snuffed out by big money and politics
just like all the other great inventions that threaten big money earnings
wait
this is not from america
it may just become a reality!
RedRat
Nov 30, 2009
Nah, won’t be adopted because silicone and oxygen is way too plentiful. Until some backward country has a stranglehold on sand then it will be adopted. After all, it is the American Way to be beholden to Middle Eastern Shiekdoms, isn’t it?
e cigarette
Nov 30, 2009
These technological leaps in certain fields will advance us TENFOLDS! baby i cant wait.
mark
Nov 30, 2009
this will be very interesting and useful
mrcommenter
Dec 01, 2009
if they can make it so that type of battery is available in all electronics, it would be awesome. how long a battery last is a big concern for a lot of people and everybody always wants a battery that can last a little bit longer
electronic cigarette
Jan 06, 2010
If this is a real possibility, it can be one of the greatest inventions ever!
bob
Jan 26, 2010
The problem with these type of batteries is that they do not provide alot of power.