Fueling Electric Vehicles with a Better Flow

(1)Mar-07-12 Researchers have discovered a new type of metal-based liquid salt electrolytes, which could lead to the development of more efficient energy storage for flow batteries.

Flow battery fuel cells are recharged by replacing and reusing their electrolyte liquids, which are known as electrochemically reversible Metal-based Ionic Liquids (MetlLs). The new method, pioneered by a team from Sandia Laboratory, is based on low cost, non-toxic materials that are easily accessible in the US.

By using the the salt as a solvent rather than dissolving it into the solvent, the team was able to achieve a higher concentration of liquid metal, which reduces the necessary size of the battery.

Fueling Electric Vehicles with a Better Flow