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Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

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Re: Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

#71

Post by Fatnino »

mensetmanusman wrote: post #40
jaybeavers wrote: post #21

At this point I strongly distrust any 'breakthrough' article about research at MIT. After hundreds of these, I'm fairly convinced that any time a grad student pours liquid into a beaker, MIT's marketing department is out publishing the fact that Flubber has just been invented and we're all going to be saved by bouncy flying automobiles. I mean, congrats on the great marketing department. But it's tiring to be disappo…

Views like this are common amongst STEM types, but they vastly underestimate the importance that science communication plays in getting the public on board with science funding. These are articles for taxpayers, not for you. A scientist who is also an effective communicator can be 10-100x more effective than one who only publishes in journals, because it can build consensus to fund large projects and get champions an…

Am I not also a taxpayer?

Re: Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

#72

Post by mannykannot »

unnouinceput wrote: post #64
mannykannot wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From what I can recall of high-school chemistry, it depends on which ions are being used, and generally different for each combination. The basic zinc-manganese dioxide cell has an EMF of about 1.5V, while lead-acid car battery cells give about 2V. https://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/battery-characteristics/... https://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/battery-basics/electroch... Update: I see it also depends on their conc…

When I say classic, I meant the classic from 1800's, you know when Volta, Faraday and other were experimenting with different wet/dry electrolytes between the zinc/copper discs. Citric acid as electrolyte holds 1.2V and is easy to buy from you local supermarket. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltaic_pile

So there you have a third datum confirming that the voltage is dependent on the materials used.

Re: Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

#73

Post by lazide »

giantg2 wrote: post #62
comboy wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could always mount it on wheels, which would be way way easier than moving a car that's on fire (you can even keep big wire cutters nearby) If fire hazard is what's stopping people I guess one could also build a fire-resistant brick cage around it (presumably just a shelf on top should be enough? so that it still can stay cool during normal operation)

Especially since they tend to be installed in garages, that would be my plan if I get one. Building stuff with casters is something commonly do for my basement or garage. The idea isn't to move it when it's on fire, but that if a recall is issued, then you can at least move it out of the structure in case it does ignite.

That makes it a lot more likely to move and be damaged/catch on fire due to an earthquake though.

Re: Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

#75

Post by giantg2 »

lazide wrote: post #73
giantg2 wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Especially since they tend to be installed in garages, that would be my plan if I get one. Building stuff with casters is something commonly do for my basement or garage. The idea isn't to move it when it's on fire, but that if a recall is issued, then you can at least move it out of the structure in case it does ignite.

That makes it a lot more likely to move and be damaged/catch on fire due to an earthquake though.

If you live in a region we're that is a concern, then the answer to this problem shojld also be appearent to you. You can still have it on casters and achor it in others ways, such as ratchet straps and floor anchors.

Re: Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

#76

Post by jessaustin »

giantg2 wrote: post #39
jessaustin wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Internal combustion engines regularly get that hot. It isn't hot enough to damage any commonly used metals.

But do you want that in a phone, in your pocket? Or any other electrical device? Or producing that heat in your house?

Obviously this isn't for cell phones. There's no requirement to store batteries inside one's house. It's common to locate problematic equipment and supplies in unconnected sheds. I see lots of outdoor furnaces when I drive around my local area.

Re: Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

#77

Post by lazide »

giantg2 wrote: post #75
lazide wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That makes it a lot more likely to move and be damaged/catch on fire due to an earthquake though.

If you live in a region we're that is a concern, then the answer to this problem shojld also be appearent to you. You can still have it on casters and achor it in others ways, such as ratchet straps and floor anchors.

In which case, there is zero need for casters. It’s easy to move even multi-ton stuff on flat floors with dowels.

Re: Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

#78

Post by giantg2 »

lazide wrote: post #77
giantg2 wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you live in a region we're that is a concern, then the answer to this problem shojld also be appearent to you. You can still have it on casters and achor it in others ways, such as ratchet straps and floor anchors.

In which case, there is zero need for casters. It’s easy to move even multi-ton stuff on flat floors with dowels.

Provided you can lift them on dowels, or that you leave them on.

Re: Battery made of aluminum, sulfur and salt proves fast, safe and low-cost

#79

Post by lazide »

giantg2 wrote: post #78
lazide wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In which case, there is zero need for casters. It’s easy to move even multi-ton stuff on flat floors with dowels.

Provided you can lift them on dowels, or that you leave them on.

For anyone considering this - it’s a lot easier than you think, and with basic hand tools it takes minutes to move something as long as you can get a prybar under it and know the fundamentals. but if there is a chance you can tip it onto yourself (say, a large multi-ton safe), call some safe movers instead of doing it yourself. Don’t be red goo.
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