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5 Things You Need to Know About Advanced Lead-Acid Batteries
By Tracie Close
What are Lead-Acid Batteries?
Originally invented in 1859 by a French physicist, they have been used for a power source in machines and vehicles and have evolved somewhat with time. Inexpensive and able to supply the surge required to start an engine, they have a very low energy-to-weight ratio but a decent energy-to-volume ratio. What does that mean? It means that per pound, they aren't so hot but per-square-inch, they perform fairly well. To be more energy efficient, it is necessary to increase viability for the energy-to-weight ratio as well.
Three Types of Lead-Acid Batteries
Flooded lead-acid batteries immerse the energy-producing electrodes in liquid electrolytes and release gases upon charging, the most common example being a standard 12 volt car battery. Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries create energy by immobilizing electrolytes with a micro fiber glass mat. Gel cell batteries use fumed silica in the electrolyte, which hardens into a gel. Drying of the gel during charges causes a loss of performance in this particular lead-battery.
How Lead-Acid Batteries can be More Energy-Efficient
There are more efficient models of these lead-acid batteries in the works. Many companies are working on new or modified approaches of this longstanding battery technology to gain more power and better performance. These approaches take many forms including the use of lighter glass-mat materials, the use of new compounds like low sodium silicate, and the use of lighter materials like lead-tin alloys
The Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium
Formed in 1992, the ALABC has been making advancements with lead-acid batteries for a variety of applications. In recent times much of this focus has been on improvements that could allow lead-acid powered electric vehicles to become a reality, a goal that has not met with widespread success outside of low-speed neighborhood electric vehicles. Worldwide research is pooled to allow a higher level of research and development than most countries would be able to perform alone.
Companies Involved in Development of Energy-Efficient Lead-Acid Batteries
According to the ALABC, four companies around the world have produced batteries that are providing especially encouraging results for vehicles and planes. East Penn and NorthStar Batteries in North America, Tudor Exide in Europe, and Furukawa Batteries/CSIRO in Asia have all provided batteries that are currently undergoing testing. A Swedish company, Effpower, is also road-testing a bi-polar lead-acid design in a Honda hybrid.
Tracie Close is a freelance writer for print and the web on eco-friendly topics. Her articles have been published in Saving American Manufacturing, Philadelphia Style Magazine, and High Tech, High Touch. She also has contributed numerous articles about green living for eHow.com.
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