An aluminum-air battery for sustainable electric transport

Abstract

An aluminum-air battery for sustainable electric transportation, containing one or more electrochemical cells with external terminals to power electrical devices such as flashlights, mobile phones, and electric cars. The electricity is stored onboard the vehicle using batteries, flywheels, or supercapacitors, and the aluminum-air battery generates electricity using a saltwater or alkaline electrolyte (NaOH, KOH), a form of aluminum, and oxygen from the air.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of science and technology. More specifically, it is an aluminum-air battery for sustainable electric transportation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The following background information relates to the present disclosure, but does not necessarily represent prior art.

[0003] US6410174B1 describes a metal-air fuel cell battery system in which metal fuel ribbon can be transported in two directions through both the discharge head assembly and the charge head assembly, while the availability of metal fuel along the line is automatically managed to improve the performance of the system.

[0004] US9997802B2 describes compositions and manufacturing methods for a high-energy-density lithium-aluminum battery. The battery comprises an aluminum metal anode. The cathode is made of lithium metal oxide. The battery also contains an electrolyte that enables the reversible deposition and detachment of aluminum at the anode and the reversible intercalation and deintercalation of lithium at the cathode.

[0005] JP2016139543A describes an air-aluminum battery that enables long-term operation and is safe. An air-aluminum battery consists of a cell stack, a water inlet tank arranged above, and a wastewater tank arranged below. The cell stack is formed by stacking any number of unit cells, each consisting of an air electrode, a hydrophilic film, a water-retaining body with an upper and lower capillary tube section, and an aluminum electrode. An electrolyte consisting of strongly acidic or strongly alkaline water stored in the water inlet tank is continuously fed through the upper capillary tube section to the water-retaining body by gravity and capillarity. During the battery reaction, aluminum hydroxide forms on the surface of the aluminum electrode.This is drained by gravity and capillarity together with excess electrolyte from the water retention body through the lower capillary tube section as waste liquid and stored in the wastewater tank. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The main objective of the present invention is to provide an aluminum-air battery for sustainable electric transportation.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to create a battery technology with high energy density.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to use aluminum as the main material for the anode.

[0009] Another objective of the invention is to achieve high energy density by using abundant and sustainable materials, ensure recyclability, reduce carbon footprint, improve durability, promote cost efficiency, enable convenient charging, and drive technological innovation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following invention relates to an aluminum-air battery for sustainable electric transportation. A battery is a device with one or more electrochemical cells and external terminals for powering electrical devices such as flashlights, mobile phones, and electric cars. Batteries come in many shapes and sizes, from tiny cells to massive battery storage units. In recent decades, the environmental impact of petroleum-based transportation infrastructure, due to fears of peak oil, has led to renewed interest in electric transportation infrastructure. The carbon footprint and other emissions of electric vehicles depend on the fuel and the technology used to generate electricity.

[0011] Electricity can be stored in the vehicle using batteries, flywheels, or supercapacitors. This has led to the development of various types of battery-powered electric vehicles. Aluminum-air batteries (Al-air batteries) generate electricity by reacting atmospheric oxygen with aluminum. They have the highest energy density of any battery. However, an electric vehicle with an aluminum battery has a range eight times the total weight of a lithium-ion battery. They are environmentally friendly and have a higher availability. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In this specification and the following claims, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the meaning of "in" in this specification includes the terms "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0013] The present invention relates to an aluminum-air battery for sustainable electric transportation. A battery is a device with one or more electrochemical cells and external terminals for powering electrical devices such as flashlights, mobile phones, and electric cars. Batteries come in many shapes and sizes, from tiny cells to massive battery storage units. In recent decades, the environmental impact of petroleum-based transportation infrastructure, due to fears of peak oil, has led to renewed interest in electric transportation infrastructure. The carbon footprint and other emissions of electric vehicles depend on the fuel and the technology used to generate electricity.

[0014] Electricity can be stored in the vehicle using batteries, flywheels, or supercapacitors. This has led to the development of various types of battery-powered electric vehicles. Aluminum-air batteries (Al-air batteries) generate electricity by reacting atmospheric oxygen with aluminum.

[0015] They have the highest energy density of all batteries. However, an electric vehicle with an aluminum battery has a range eight times the total weight of a lithium-ion battery. They are environmentally friendly and have greater availability.

[0016] Aluminum-air batteries generate electricity using a saltwater or alkaline electrolyte (NaOH, KOH), a form of aluminum, and oxygen from the air. A galvanic cell is formed by the oxidation of aluminum at the anode and the reduction of oxygen at the cathode.

[0017] This battery is more durable than conventional lithium-ion batteries because aluminum is more abundant, accounting for 8.1% of the material in the Earth's crust, while lithium contributes only 0.002%. Although aluminum-air batteries are not rechargeable, the materials they are made of are 100% recyclable or readily available without harming the environment, and the cells are easily replaceable.

[0018] Aluminum-air batteries are characterized by high energy density and achieve the second-highest practical operating temperature, just below that of lithium-air batteries. The battery itself is significantly more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and longer-lasting than alternatives such as lithium-air batteries. All these advantages make aluminum-air batteries a strong competitor to other metal-air batteries.

[0019] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure as described in the claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 6410174B1

[0003] US 9997802B2

[0004] JP 2016139543A

[0005]

Claims

[1] An aluminum-air battery for sustainable electric transportation, containing one or more electrochemical cells with external terminals to power electrical devices such as flashlights, mobile phones, and electric cars, where the electricity is stored on board the vehicle using batteries, flywheels, or supercapacitors, and the aluminum-air battery generates electricity using a saltwater or alkaline electrolyte (NaOH, KOH), a form of aluminum, and oxygen from the air. [2] The aluminum-air battery for sustainable electric transportation according to claim 1, wherein a galvanic cell is formed by the oxidation of aluminum at the anode and the reduction of oxygen at the cathode.