Zinc air battery development for electric vehicles

Technical Report · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6884854· OSTI ID:6884854

Putt, R A ^[1]

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1. Metal Air Technology Systems International, Inc., Lawrenceville, GA (USA)

This document reports the progress and accomplishments of a 16 month program to develop a rechargeable zinc-air battery for electric vehicle propulsion, from October 1988 through January 1990. The program was the first stage in the transition of alkaline zinc electrode technology, invented at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, to private industry. The LBL invention teaches the use of a copper metal foam substrate for the zinc electrode, in combination with forced convection of electrolyte through the foam during battery operation. Research at LBL showed promise that this approach would avoid shape change (densification and dendrite growth), the primary failure mode of this electrode. The program comprised five tasks; (1) cell design, (2) capacity maximization, (3) cycle testing, (4) materials qualification, and (5) a cost/design study. The cell design contemplates a plate and frame stack, with alternating zinc and oxygen electrode frame assemblies between rigid end plates. A 200 Ah cell, as may be required for the EV application, would comprise a stack of five zinc and six oxygen electrode frame/assemblies. 8 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Metal Air Technology Systems International, Inc., Lawrenceville, GA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6884854
• Report Number(s): LBL-29078; ON: DE90016639
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
25 ENERGY STORAGE
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ZINC-AIR BATTERIES
DESIGN
PERFORMANCE TESTING
CORROSION
CURRENT DENSITY
DAMAGE
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTRODES
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
FOAMS
LEAKAGE CURRENT
MEASURING METHODS
PROGRESS REPORT
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COLLOIDS
CURRENTS
DEPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYSIS
LYSIS
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
SURFACE COATING
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TESTING
VEHICLES
330300* - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Electric-Powered Systems
250902 - Energy Storage- Batteries- Performance & Testing