New battery design could give electric vehicles a jolt
Significant advance in battery architecture could be breakthrough for electric vehicles and grid storage A radically new approach to the design of batteries, developed by researchers at MIT, could provide a lightweight and inexpensive alternative to existing batteries for electric vehicles and the power grid. The technology could even make “refueling” such batteries as quick and easy as pumping gas into a conventional car.
The new battery relies on an innovative architecture called a semi-solid flow cell, in which solid particles are suspended in a carrier liquid and pumped through the system. In this design, the battery’s active components — the positive and negative electrodes, or cathodes and anodes — are composed of particles suspended in a liquid electrolyte. These two different suspensions are pumped through systems separated by a filter, such as a thin porous membrane.
One important characteristic of the new design is that it separates the two functions of the battery — storing energy until it is needed, and discharging that energy when it needs to be used — into separate physical structures. (In conventional batteries, the storage and discharge both take place in the same structure.) Separating these functions means that batteries can be designed more efficiently.
The new design should make it possible to reduce the size and the cost of a complete battery system, including all of its structural support and connectors, to about half the current levels. That dramatic reduction could be the key to making electric vehicles fully competitive with conventional gas- or diesel-powered vehicles.
Another potential advantage is that in vehicle applications, such a system would permit the possibility of simply “refueling” the battery by pumping out the liquid slurry and pumping in a fresh, fully charged replacement, or by swapping out the tanks like tyres at a pit stop, while still preserving the option of simply recharging the existing material when time permits.
In addition to potential applications in vehicles, the new battery system could be scaled up to very large sizes at low cost. This would make it particularly well-suited for large-scale electricity storage for utilities, potentially making intermittent, unpredictable sources such as wind and solar energy practical for powering the electric grid. |10| ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
Old Eurostar Uniforms & Seat Covers Upcycled into new Bags
Eurostar, the high-speed passenger service linking London, Paris and Brussels is issuing its train managers with a world’s first - bags created entirely from recycled Eurostar staff uniforms and antimacassars.
Working with Upcycling company, Worn Again, which specialises in creating new products from disused materials, the bags were created using old Eurostar raincoats, lining material from old suit jackets and antimacassars (headrest covers).
Created by award-winning designer, Benjamin Shine, a prototype of the bag was displayed last year in the ‘Sustainable Futures’ exhibition at the British Design Museum in London. From July, passengers will be able to spot the bags when they travel on Eurostar as they are distributed to over 250 train managers in the UK, France and Belgium.
Peter Bragg, Head of Environment and Energy for Eurostar said: “Our work with Worn Again is part of our commitment to reduce our impact on the environment. We don’t just talk about policies and practices we do everything we can to bring them to life.” “Eurostar train managers were involved in every stage of the design process and their contribution has helped us create a completely recycled product, that not only meets their needs but is worthy of appearing at the British Design Museum.”
Cyndi Rhoades, CEO of Worn Again said: “Eurostar is a forward thinking company which delivers on its sustainable objectives. The bags have been a big project and it’s exciting that from next month, Eurostar train managers will be literally wearing the brands commitment to sustainability.”
The bags were made in the UK by Barrow and Gale, a traditional bags manufacturer in Woolwich. The company was established in 1750 and holds the royal warrant to manufacture Royal Maundy purses for HM The Queen.
Recycling and upcycling uniforms and train parts are key elements of Eurostar’s Tread Lightly programme and the commitment across the business to reduce its overall impact on the environment. This includes reducing usage wherever possible, sourcing supplies responsibly and recycling what is used or produced.
Recycling uniforms has helped contribute towards Eurostar reaching its target of zero waste being disposed to landfill and 80% of all waste being recycled.
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