Batteries: today and tomorrow

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1976 · IEEE Spectrum; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/MSPEC.1976.6369149· OSTI ID:7345857

Mennie, D

The primary battery improvements involve the common alkaline battery varieties containing manganese dioxide and mercuric oxide (separately or in combination). Others include the zinc-air battery developed by Gould and now undergoing field tests with consumers, and the extremely high energy density lithium battery now available. Two completely different approaches being exploited to produce a finished battery are described. The method championed by Mallory Battery Co., Tarrytown, N.Y., and by Power Conversion Inc., Mount Vernon, N.Y., utilizes a lithium anode, organic electrolyte, and proprietary cathode material. Finished batteries produced in this manner contain some sulfur dioxide gas, of which trace amounts are vented during use. Mallory is also developing a hermetically sealed lithium cell intended for consumer use. The Japanese-based Matsushita company has concentrated on producing lithium cells using carbon monofluoride as the cathode. Appliances requiring more current (tape players, cordless tools, etc.) have benefited from secondary systems based on nickel-cadmium and sealed lead-acid cells. A large portion of future secondary battery development involves high-temperature batteries, most notably, sodium-sulfur, sodium-antimony chloride, and lithium-iron sulfide. Evaluating these systems involves tradeoffs between energy density, cycle life, materials/manufacturing cost, and charging methods. The status report on research and monitoring being performed by EPRI, ERDA, and NSF is summarized. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 7345857
• Journal Information: IEEE Spectrum; (United States), Vol. 13:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
25 ENERGY STORAGE
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ACID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
AMMONIA FUEL CELLS
BIOCHEMICAL FUEL CELLS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY STORAGE
FUEL CELLS
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
FORECASTING
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
US ERDA
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
STORAGE
US ORGANIZATIONS
290700* - Energy Planning & Policy- Transport & Storage
250900 - Energy Storage- Batteries
300500 - Fuel Cells