Still Searching for Breakthrough Battery Technology

Whatever happened to the new rechargeable aluminum air batteries that Stanford University published only about a year ago. Even more voltage out per cell than any Lithium cells. Very fast recharging that makes Lithium tech look silly. High current draw possibilities....did someone with deep pockets pay them to go away and be quiet?

Looks like only 2 volts for Al/Air battery:

“Millions of consumers use 1.5-volt AA and AAA batteries,” he said. “Our rechargeable aluminum battery generates about two volts of electricity. That’s higher than anyone has achieved with aluminum. But more improvements will be needed to match the voltage of lithium-ion batteries," Dai added.

Still, 2v. very useful in conjunction with very fast charge and discharge, safety and COST.

I did misspeak, and I seem to be doing more of that lately, and less fact checking. Sorry. At least I know Al cell produces more current per mole of aluminum than does Li+ ion per mole. Aluminum is always going to be trivalent.

Actually it doesn't. Atomic weights of Li and Al are 6.941 and 26.98 so with +1 and +3 valencies, Li still gives more coulombs than Al per unit weight. The only elements that could beat Li are beryllium ⁺² (At.Wt.= 9.012) and hydrogen ⁺¹ (1.008). Beryllium unsuitable for several reasons. What a shame hydrogen is a gas. As soon as we use it in solid metal hydride form, as in Ni/metal hydride battery, we are lumbered with a chunk of something else (cadmium usually) that takes no part in the reaction.

Looks like Li and O2 would give us the best energy density and much work has been done to achieve that. But based on cost, Al and O2 would be a winner.

I said per mole, not per weight, slight and unimportant difference. Aluminum is still cheaper I think, at least when the technology reaches the inflection point on the learning curve it will be.

Other advantages: does not catch fire.

Other advantage: does not self-discharge that I am aware of.

Other advantage: many more cycles (deep ones) than Li+

Other advantage: many times faster charging rates achievable