ZINC AIR BATTERY DEVELOPMENT FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES. FINAL REPORT

This document reports the progress and accomplishments of a 16 month program to develop a rechargeable zinc-air battery for electric vehicle propulsion, from October 1988 through January 1990. The program was the first stage in the transition of alkaline zinc electrode technology, invented at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, to private industry. The LBL invention teaches the use of a copper metal foam substrate for the zinc electrode, in combination with forced convection of electrolyte through the foam during battery operation. Research at LBL showed promise that this approach would avoid shape change (densification and dendrite growth), the primary failure mode of this electrode. The program comprised five tasks; (1) cell design, (2) capacity maximization, (3) cycle testing, (4) materials qualification, and (5) a cost/design study. The cell design contemplates a plate and frame stack, with alternating zinc and oxygen electrode frame assemblies between rigid end plates. A 200 Ah cell, as may be required for the EV application, would comprise a stack of five zinc and six oxygen electrode frame/assemblies.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Berkeley

  Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
  Berkeley, CA  United States  94720
• Authors:
  • Putt, R A
• Publication Date: 1990-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 27 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air; Alkali metals; Aquatic substrates; Copper; Costs; Densification; Design; Electric vehicles; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Materials tests; Zinc
• Non-Preferred Terms: Convection (Fluid mechanics)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Capacity; Substrates
• Old TRIS Terms: Cells; Cycles; Design costs
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Finance; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00605356
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: LBL-29078
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1991 12:00AM