Batteries could get a boost from research discovery that increases power, energy density and safety while dramatically reducing charge time.

A team led by Hansan Liu, Gilbert Brown and Parans Paranthaman of the Department of Energy lab's Chemical Sciences Division found that titanium dioxide creates a highly desirable material that increases surface area and features a fast charge-discharge capability for lithium ion batteries. Compared to conventional technologies, the differences in charge time and capacity are striking.

"We can charge our battery to 50 percent of full capacity in six minutes while the traditional graphite-based lithium ion battery would be just 10 percent charged at the same current," Liu said.

Compared to commercial lithium titanate material, the ORNL compound also boasts a higher capacity -- 256 vs. 165 milliampere hour per gram -- and a sloping discharge voltage that is good for controlling state of charge. This characteristic combined with the fact oxide materials are extremely safe and long-lasting alternatives to commercial graphite make it well-suited for hybrid electric vehicles and other high-power applications.

The results, recently published in Advanced Materials, could also have special significance for applications in stationary energy storage systems for solar and wind power, and for smart grids. The titanium dioxide with a bronze polymorph also has the advantage of being potentially inexpensive, according to Liu.

At the heart of the breakthrough is the novel architecture of titanium dioxide, named mesoporous TiO₂-B microspheres, which features channels and pores that allow for unimpeded flow of ions with a capacitor-like mechanism. Consequently, a lithium ion battery that substitutes TiO₂-B for the graphite electrode charges and discharges quickly.

"Theoretical studies have uncovered that this pseudocapacitive behavior originates from the unique sites and energetics of lithium absorption and diffusion in TiO₂-B structure," the authors write in their paper.

Paranthaman noted that the microsphere shape of the material allows for traditional electrode fabrication and creates compact electrode layers. He also observed, however, that the production process of this material is complex and involves many steps, so more research remains to determine whether it is scalable.

Other authors of the paper are Zhonghe Bi, Xiao-Guang Sun, Raymond Unocic and Sheng Dai. The research was supported by DOE's Office of Science, ORNL's Laboratory Directed Research and Development program, and ORNL's SHaRE User Facility, which is sponsored by Basic Energy Sciences.

 

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Solar power is not all sunshine. It has a dark side -- particularly in developing countries.

A study by Chris Cherry, assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering, found that solar power heavily reliant on lead batteries has the potential to release more than 2.4 million tons of lead pollution in China and India.

Lead poisoning causes numerous adverse health effects, including damage to the central nervous system, the kidneys, the cardiovascular system, and the reproductive system. In children, blood lead concentration is associated with learning impairments, as well as hyperactive and violent behavior.

His study, co-authored with Perry Gottesfeld of Occupational Knowledge International (OK International), appears in the September issue of the journal Energy Policy.

Lead pollution predicted to result from investments in solar power by 2022 is equivalent to one-third of current global lead production. The researchers, who relied on official government plans for deploying solar power to make these projections, also found that the countries have large amounts of lead leak into the environment from mining, smelting, battery manufacturing, and recycling -- 33 percent in China and 22 percent in India. Also, a large percentage of new solar power systems continues to be reliant on lead batteries for energy storage due to the inadequate power grid in these countries.

The study's release comes on the heels of reports of a large number of mass lead poisoning incidents around lead battery recycling and manufacturing plants in China and the announcement that the country recently closed 583 of these facilities.

"Investments in environmental controls in the lead battery industry, along with improvements in battery take-back policies, are needed to complement deployment of solar power in these countries," said Cherry. "Without improvements, it is increasingly clear that the use of lead batteries will contribute to environmental contamination and lead poisoning among workers and children."

The battery industry is the largest consumer of lead, using approximately 80 percent of global lead production. Lead battery manufacturing is growing rapidly in much of the world to meet demand for batteries for solar power and other applications. With the authors' projected emissions, they say this will impact public health and contribute to environmental contamination.

"The solar industry has to step up and take responsibility for ensuring that their lead battery suppliers are operating with adequate controls as long as they are going to be reliant on this technology," said Gottesfeld. "Without major improvements in the manufacturing and recycling lead batteries in these countries, we expect that lead poisoning will increase as the industry grows."

The projections outlined in the study, while based on plans articulated by these two countries, are likely to be repeated throughout much of the developing world, such as in Africa.

 

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of Tennessee at Knoxville, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

The 2nd Annual Green Fuels & Vehicles China 2011
- Exploring the technical and commercial roadmaps for alternative fuels and new energy vehicles

2nd Annual Green Fuels & Vehicles China 2011 will be convened on April 7-8 in Beijing, China. This year the event will focus on exploring the technical and commercial roadmaps for alternative fuels and new energy vehicles, discuss the policy incentives, market outlook, technical innovations and charging infrastructure development of the industry. It is China’s leading international networking and information exchange platform for new energy vehicle industry.

This year, the event is expected to invite more than 200+ multiple stakeholders from global green fuels and vehicles fraternities including 30+ vehicle OEMs, 20+ auto component providers, 15+ battery manufactures and service & solution providers and regulators, like Mercedes-Benz, PSA Peugot Citroen, Volkswagen, Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors, General Motor, Ford Motor, Renault, Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. , SAIC Group, BYD Auto , CHANA Auto, Nissan, Geely Automobile Institute Co., Ltd., Better Place, GE Energy Services, A123 Systems, DSM engineering, Johnson Control, 3M Ltd., IBM, Siemens, CIE Automotive Part’s Shanghai Co., Ltd, Efore Energy for Electronics, Shenzhen Grart Technology Co., Ltd., Autoliv BV. & Co. KG, Lyondell Basell Industries, Maxim Integrated Products, Infineum, Alstom Group, O2Micro, Ernst&Young, etc. …

WHAT YOU WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THE EVENT
?    Hear about the analysis of the latest policy incentives and technical standards from government
?    Gain in-depth insights into the leading OEMs development trends and strategies
?    Discuss about the major obstacles of the industrialization and commercialization of green vehicles and find out their possible solutions
?    Keep abreast of the advancements in critical technology innovation and breakthrough
?    Listen to the expectation and requirements for auto part and component from major auto makers
?    Probe into the critical issues regarding to the charging infrastructure development
?    Establish partnerships and win-win situation among OEMs, battery companies, auto component suppliers and charging infrastructure owners

Previous attendees from (but not limited to):
Energy-efficient and New Energy Vehicles Key Project Office National Hi-Tech R&D Program (2006-2010)Ministry of Science and Technology of China, Promotion Office of New Energy Automotive Shanghai Municipal People's Government, Shanghai Automobile Sales Trade Association, Ford Motor (China) Ltd, Geely Automobile Institute Co., Ltd., GM China, Saic Motor, Chery Automobile Co., Ltd., PSA PEUGEOT CITROËN, Nissan (China) Investment Co., Ltd., Fiat Powertrain Technologies Management Co., Ltd., Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd., Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation, China Electrotechnical Society, IBM, BOSCH (United Automotive Electronic Systems Co., Ltd.), Siemens Ltd., Panasonic, Bayer Material Science Limited, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., MarkLines Co., Ltd., DSM Engineering Plastics Asia Pacific, dSPACE Mechatronic Control Technology Co., Ltd., Johnson Controls, Arcelor Mittal, Automotive Industry Action Group, A&D Technology Inc, Efore Energy for Electronics, CIE Automotive China, Central Glass Co., Ltd., CITIC GUOAN Mengguli New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Ernst & Young (China) Advisory Limited., Galaxy Lithium (Jiang Su) Co., Ltd., GHSP (Shanghai) Automotive Company Ltd., Jiangsu Aoxin New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., Lyondellbasell Industries, Zongshen Piaggio Foshan Motorcycle Co. LTD, SK E&S, Novelis Korea Limited, Shenzhen Grart Technology Co., Ltd., Wangxiang Group, Zonda, etc. …

2nd Annual Green Fuels & Vehicles China 2011 is a must choice for decision makers to acquire insights and deeper understandings of the impact, opportunities, challenges and strategies of China alternative fuels and new energy vehicles industry.

To inquiry detailed event information, please contact: Ms. Tina Tian
Tel: +86 21 5181 5373Email: tina@igvision.com
Or visit the official event website: http://www.greenfuels-vehicles.com

CSB battery is meant to be used as the batteries of UPS. Many companies, such as ETON Power, APC, and Chloride Power, all around the world are using these great batteries which work for long. Using these batteries with the UPS enhance the life of UPS.

When you goes to buy UPS, you first should see that what type of battery you is taking with your UPS. Batteries play important role in working of UPS. It is because batteries are the main power source of the UPS. CSB UPS battery is meant to work for a longer time period. It enhances the performance of the UPS. Generation of the power is the main purpose which everyone wants from the UPS. It is only possible with the help of a good Battery. When person uses the UPS; he wants to have as much energy as the UPS is meant to supply. But most of the times this is quite impossible because of the short lifetime of the battery. Shorter lifetime of the battery means that the battery has been made by very low quality material which can not supply proper power to the UPS. It is because of the batteries used in UPS which make it unable to supply as much energy as person wants from it. The lifetime of whole UPS system also becomes doubtful because of using such kinds of batteries. People have to buy these batteries again and again because they want to run their UPS.

UPS is used when there is no electricity. But mainly these UPS is used when there are shortfalls or shortages of electricity in the area. So the usage has now become very familiar. Before this, generators is usually used for above mentioned purposes. But generator is very expensive and noise making. The other better option is UPS. CSB Battery is meant to supply perfect power to the UPS system. KT Battery stocks a wide range of batteries for different UPS system. These batteries are also made by taking the weather and environment into account. CSB battery is one of the long lasting batteries which can work for at least 10 years. So people should buy these batteries rather than those ordinary batteries which can't live longer.

CSB battery is now being used all around the world. Many people are using it for generating power consistently in the areas where they can't have the normal electricity supply. CSB batteries are low self discharged. These batteries have safety, low resistance so recharge is easy and energy output is more remarkable than any other batteries. Also for quality purpose CSB battery is being strictly tested by patented CCDS or Computer Charge/Discharge System. The range of CSB batteries can be used for different purposes like using them in the house, office, work area etc. CSB batteries are also being manufactured to be used in the Vehicles, so the generation of power has now become easy anywhere you want.