Is the Secret to Cheap Energy Storage Hiding in Harlem? [Slide Show]
The material in disposable batteries may hold the secret to making an inexpensive storage system that can feed the electrical grid
Credits: © David BielloRECHARGEABLE: In order to make alkaline batteries—which are normally disposed of after one use—rechargeable, the researchers at Urban Electric Power introduced flow. How? With propellers attached by magnets to the bottom of the battery case. © David Biello
STACKED: The materials are then stacked and wired to make a bespoke, rechargeable, alkaline battery. © David Biello
ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: The sheets of material are then made into so-called pouch cells. © David Biello
CURRENCY: Current collectors, in the form of foil or mesh, are then attached to the materials. © David Biello
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PASTA-MAKERS: The dough-like material is then run through a pasta-maker and turned into sheets. The rolling pins are then used to control the thickness of the materials further. © David Biello
MIXERS: Typical restaurant mixers make the material—zinc or manganese dioxide—that compose an alkaline battery. © David Biello
THE DOUGH: One of two key ingredients—zinc—is made into a dough-like substance with the addition of isopropanol. © David Biello
ALKALINE BATTERY: Can this version of the common alkaline battery prove the answer to energy storage? © David Biello
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