Study found that highly efficient bacteria can be used to make microbial batteries
United States University of Massachusetts researchers succeeded in isolating a kind of bacteria with a large number of small protrusions on surface .Because of their protruding surface of highly conductive, the microbial fuel cells which are made from this bacteria would have a stronger generating capacity.
AAAS Web site recently reported that the bacteria isolated by the U.S. University of Massachusetts researchers in the fuel cell could be largely reproduced on the graphite anode, and form a thick layer of conductive biofilm on the Laptop batteryanode surface . The researchers explained that a large number of protrusions on the bacterial surface are a type of protein which is composed of tiny fibers that are like "nanoscale wire" .They can transmit current through the membrane. using this kind of bacteria to produce fuel cells will greatly enhance the power output of the battery.
As it can be prolonged, and efficiently provide electricity, microbial fuel cell can be used for those monitoring equipments that are placed in the remote environment, where it is difficult to frequently replace batteries , such as deep-sea sensors used to observe sea turtles .
With Lead-acid Battery Pollution, Lithium Battery Electric Vehicles Becomes the Mainstream of Development
Motor car has become a major public vehicle. However, electric vehicles generally use lead-acid batteries that contain sulfuric acid inside now.There is large amounts of lead,which will not only pollute the environment, but also becomes a major hazard to human health, if disposed at randam.
According to experts' research, if the blood contains high levels of lead elements, it will cause lead poisoning and result in the body's nervous system, blood system, digestive system, a series of unusual behavior, seriously even having life-threatening impact on children. Shaanxi and Hunan where 200 people of more than 1,000 children were detected in blood lead exceeded,among whom the oldest is 15-year-old, the yougest is only a few months baby ,have been exposed blood lead problems that caused major social repercussions. To find an alternative of lead-acid batteries has become very necessary.
The emergence of lithium batteries solves this major health risks. According to reports, Li-ion battery is not only lightweight but long cycle life. Its safety performance is good, without cadmium, lead, mercury and other elements of the environment pollution. Goodbaby Group's good kid 100 Ruikang Health Products Co., Ltd. launched a green environmental friendly " JieAo bi" brand lithium battery electric bicycle, Which attracted the eyes of many consumers. It is understood that Goodbaby started reseach and development projects of lithium vehicles in 2003 . The enterprise has now become the broadest family of products in varieties of lithium tram manufacturers.
Internationally, the emergence of lithium power electric cars has become a major trend. Paris goverment give subsidies to individual and corporate on the purchase of lithium battery electric bicycle ae an encouragement, the Italian government will cut relief tax for 30 percent to lithium battery electric bicycle. Lithium-Ion battery electric cars must be the mainstream of the domestic market in the future development.
New Plastic Stick-On Solar Cells Would Able To Power Future Electric Cars
Scientists at the University of Queensland have designed stick-on solar cells made from low-cost plastics, which are cheaper than the silicon panels fixed to rooftops. According to the researchers these solar cells can be used to power everything from tiny electronic devices to your homes and can revolutionize solar energy generation.
“There is no reason why the plastics which now cover many of today’s electronic gadgets could not also provide the solar energy to power them.” said the University of Queensland’s principal researcher. According to the researcher, the new technology could easily power a vehicle. “With the right battery technolog, it is probably very suited to solar powering of cars.” he said.
The new solar cells can generate power at a cost of around $1 per watt, which might sound expensive but actually about one eight of the cost of electric energy stored in a conventional silicon solar cell. Which means “that is around $1000 per kilowatt, so by a factor of eight less expensive that a silicon module.”
According to the researcher this new technology will be ready for production and cells should be available in the next two years. Fellow researcher Paul Burns said that they have been awarded a $1.9 million grant to further develop the technology for the market.
Toyota has developed new technology which significantly improves lithium battery storage capacity
Toyota Motor Corporation has developed a new kind technology which can significantly improve the storage capacity lithium-ion battery.This technology provided an opportunity for developing more practical electric cars.
PaulNolasco, the spokesman of Toyota Motor Corporation, said this progress - the processing of single crystal lithium cobalt oxide - is out of Tohoku University on joint research in Japan.
This new technology has taken a big step toward a more adequate manufacturing capacity battery , but Nolasco declined to evaluate the possible increase in battery storage capacity, or endurance mileage of electric vehicles.
Japan's "Nikkei Business Daily" reported that the technology will ultimately make lithium-ion batteries store 10 times of its current capacity of similar cells. The newspaper said that this progress can be roughly increased by 10 times of the mileage . A higher storage capacity also enables the Toyota Motor Corporation reduce the battery size, weight and possible costs.
Lithium-ion batteries are seen as the key to mass marketing electric vehicles because they are lighter, and more abundant in electricity than current hybrid vehicles which use nickel-metal hydride batteries .
However, to a large extent,the Toyota Motor Corporation still have to circumvent the electric vehicles on the grounds that modern lithium-ion battery power is still too weak to contain, not haviong the capability of the all-electric drive system to provide vehicles with sufficient endurance mileage.
It is reported that Toyota Motor Corporation is now using lithium-ion battery cathode which is usually made of multi-crystalline form of lithium cobalt oxide-doped graphite particles.
However, after the use of single-crystal form, the Toyota Motor Corporation are able to reduce the use of graphite, which also helps produce lithium-ion current to create more storage space.