SOLAR TODAY - September/October 2011

A sample of “Cambridge crude” — a black, gooey substance that can power a highly efficient new type of battery.

of simply recharging the existing material when time permits.

Flow batteries have existed for some time, but have used liquids with very low energy density. A key insight for the MIT team was to adapt the chemistry of lithium-ion batteries to semi-liquid state. That provides a tenfold improvement in energy density over present liquid flow batteries, and lower-cost manufacturing than conventional lithium-ion batteries.

Because the suspensions look and flow
like black goo, Carter said, “We call it ‘Cam-
bridge crude.’”
In addition to potential applications in vehi-
cles, the new battery system could be scaled up
for utility-scale storage.

Chiang and his colleagues are now ex-
ploring different chemical combinations that
could be used within the semi-solid flow sys-
tem. “We’ll figure out what can be practically
developed today,” Chiang said, “but as better
materials come along, we can adapt them to this
architecture.”
Chiang, whose earlier insights on lithium-
ion battery chemistries led to the 2001 found-
ing of MIT spinoff A123 Systems, said the two
technologies are complementary, and address
different potential applications. For example,
the new semi-solid flow batteries will prob-
ably never be suitable for smaller applications
such as tools, or where short bursts of very
high power are required — areas where A123’s
batteries excel.

Homeowners

Solar Power For
The Way Your Live
Reduce Your
Electric Bills...

...Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

FREE Solar Evaluations
WestinghouseSolar.com/Homeowner
Get Solar on Your Home

So
la
rPowerI
n
ternational2011
2
90
9
X
i
n
Booth
T
Dallas,

#
SeeUs
at
Grow Your Business with
The Most Trusted Name
Under The Sun
Installers
FREE
Webinars
See How With Our
(Register Online)