Fluid Batteries Can Be The Future Of Electric Cars
Prude University researchers have developed a safe, affordable, and more environmentally friendly method that can be used in the future to recharge electric cars.
Peugeot 2008 HYbrid air cutaway exhibited at the Salão Internacional do Automóvel 2014 São Paulo, Brazil
Prude University professor, John Cushman, has developed and, is planning on commercializing, a method that can expedite the recharging process of electric or hybrid cars. He co-founded the technology known as IFBatery to help further develop and commercialize the technology. Current, conventional electric cars need time for their batteries to be recharged. As the sales of electric and hybrid cars increase so does the demand for the infrastructure needed to charge vehicles like recharge stations on parking spaces. “The biggest challenge for the industry is to extend the life of a battery’s charge and the infrastructure needed to actually charge the vehicle. The greatest hurdle for drivers is the time commitment to keeping their cars fully charged.” Prof. Cushman developed a way to make this recharging process as easy as it is for regular automobiles going to a gas station.
The process involves rechargeable fluid batteries that will help cars recharge in munites. Fluid electrolytes will be pumped into the electric car just like a regular car at a gas station. The energy storage system “enables drivers to fill up their electric or hybrid vehicles with fluid electrolytes to re-energize… battery fluids.” Spent electrolytes would be then collected and taken to be recharged either at a solar farm, wind turbine installation or a hydro electric plant.
The system is environmentally friendly as it will use fluids that will be recharged using renewable resources like solar, wind or water power. “Instead of refining petroleum, the refiners would reprocess spent electrolytes and instead of dispensing gas, the fueling stations would dispense a water and ethanol or methanol solution as fluid electrolytes to power vehicles.”
Resources for educators:
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170601151813.htm
- https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/which-fuit-produce-electricity/
- How to Make a Lemon Battery