News Headline:An earlier article on this blog discussed flow batteries and how scientists are working tirelessly to improve its efficiency. Well here we are--with more news.
A flow battery uses two chemical components dissolved in liquids separated by a membrane through which there is ionic exchange. While current flows through this membrane, the two liquids circulate in their own respective spaces (ref). In this light, a publication in Nature Communications discusses how a team of MIT researchers engineered an inexpensive rechargeable flow battery. They used as reactants--liquid bromine solution, and hydrogen fuel which is cheaper and easily obtainable.
"This technology has as much promise as anything else being explored for storage, if not more. Contrary to previous opinions that membrane-less systems are purely academic, this system could potentially have a large practical impact. Energy storage is the key enabling technology for renewables, and until you can make energy storage reliable and affordable, it doesn't matter how cheap and efficient you can make wind and solar, because our grid can't handle the intermittency of those renewable technologies." Said Cullen Buie, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at MIT (ref). The researchers are optimistic this device will enable cheaper, large-scale energy storage in the long run (ref).
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