JoelTaylor
Higher voltage is nice, but what's it's energy density?
Kpar
I have been told that use of salt in water as an electrolyte (in plating operations) has a distinct risk of the release of chlorine gas. What is the answer to that in this application?
CoachFerg
For more than 25 years I have read about the next big battery breakthrough. It always ends with an estimation of the arrival of this new battery technology to the clamoring public. Yet, the result never holds up to the promise.
I realize that there are hurdles to trying to improve energy density. I also realize, that reality often steps in to foil the most enthusiastic developer of new technology. But I do grow tired of predictions based on the very thinnest empirical evidence. I would rather they said that they have many things to overcome before production can begin. If they can deliver in five years, then that's great. However, if not, then they look like overly optimistic fools who cannot deliver what they promise.
Fretting Freddy the Ferret pressing the Fret
Cheap, scalable technology that delivers high performance is the key here. Fail to deliver on any of the above mentioned and it will not make it to the mass consumer market. Of course, that is a simplified picture.
Battery technology has many aspects to it, some of which were already mentioned. Consider the number of charge/discharge cycles before it degrades, toxicity of materials used, chemical stability, energy density, power density, and the list goes on.
noteugene
And yet another battery breakthrough. Yeah right.
Jim Parker
I don't know if Nick wrote the headline, but "fails to fire" sounds like "fails" to me. This looks like promising research, with a headline that failed to be clever.
JimFox
inside 5 years I am optimistic that a different technology will render this obsolete; the Toshiba battery has been used in EV's since 2007. "We will continue to improve the battery's performance and aim to put the next-generation SCiBTM into practical application in fiscal year 2019."
http://newatlas.com/toshiba-scib-battery-triple-range/51667/
Towerman
i'll never put a salt battery into my device, this idea was doomed from the start.
Towerman
@CoachFerg There are many breakthroughs, most choked by big oil, not because it is not possible.
Towerman
@JimFox
Indeed.