An aqueous “Water-in-Salt” battery developed by researchers from the University of Maryland and the U.S. Army prevents risks related to fire, poisonous chemical exposure, and environmental hazards. The safe, non-flammable batteries could be used in medical devices like pacemakers.

This image compares the difference between the new “Water-in-Salt” electrolyte vs. the “Salt-in-Water” electrolyte typical of other aqueous battery systems.

The researchers employed a type of water-based electrolyte containing ultra-high concentrations of a carefully selected Lithium salt. The electrolyte transformed the battery’s chemistry, resulting in the formation of a thin protective film on the anode electrode for the very first time in a water-based battery.

Known in battery science as a “Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI),” such a protective and stabilizing film supports the high performance of lithium-ion batteries. SEI capabilities had previously only been achieved in non-aqueous electrolytes.

The formation of an anode/electrolyte interphase in the “Water-in-Salt” electrolyte allowed the engineers to break the inverse relationship between cycling stability and high voltage, and to achieve both simultaneously.

Source 

Topics:
Anatomy Batteries Cardiovascular system Chemicals Electrical systems Energy storage systems Fire Hazards and emergency operations Medical Medical equipment and supplies Medical, health and wellness Medical, health, and wellness Patient Monitoring Research and development Research and development

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    This article first appeared in the March, 2016 issue of Medical Design Briefs Magazine (Vol. 6 No. 3).

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