Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
15.7
Schematic representation of interaction of oxygen ions with Al
2
O
3
in YSZ-Al
2
O
3
specimens.
Al
2
O
3
particles act as the source of local electric field (shown by the dark
arcs).
15.4 Energy storage and power generation devices
15.4.1 Energy storage
Societal energy storage needs call for concerted measures to deal with issues
of human transportation, efficient uses of energy, and global warming. In a
broader sense, all of these issues are interlinked, and a satisfactory solution
will require technological innovations in a number of different disciplines.
Energy-related issues include efficient storage, generation, and transmission
of electricity and its conversion to different usable forms. The storage aspect
of energy-related issues could be addressed by lithium rechargeable
batteries. Lithium is the lightest solid element and possesses the highest
oxidation potential. These attributes allow lithium batteries to offer higher
energy density compared to the standard, state-of-the-art lead acid and
nickel-metal hydride batteries.
The use of lithium in a battery also brings some interesting challenges.
This section identifies an energy storage device, its challenges, and presents
applications of emerging nanocomposites. Nanocomposites developed at
the University of Dayton have allowed the fabrication of potentially very
high energy density Li-O
2
/air cells. These cells have yet to be introduced in
the market; nonetheless, the rechargeable high energy density storage
devices illustrate the importance of nanocomposites in developing the next
generation of energy storage devices.
A typical rechargeable, solid-state Li-O
2
/air cell is shown in Fig. 15.8: a
lithium anode and a composite cathode (LAGP-C) are separated by an
electrolyte laminate composed of a glass ceramic (GC) and two polymer-
