UK project established to develop new type of battery

According to Claire Fullarton, a postgraduate researcher with the Department of Chemistry, the PolyZion project is focused on the design, production and properties of a new type of prototype battery which would offer improved performance, safety and environmental sustainability. "This research involves the development of a new class of fast rechargeable batteries based on a zinc plastic system incorporating a novel, inexpensive, environmentally sustainable solvent," said Fullarton. "This approach is necessitated by the problems associated with petrol and diesel powered vehicles, such as environmental impact, rising fuel prices, the looming shortage of oil and the limitations of batteries available for electric vehicles." Funded by the EU Seventh Framework Programme, the project has been established to investigate ionic liquids (electrolytes), conducting plastics, zinc deposition, pulse charging and batteries. The new research combines a new low cost, air/moisture insensitive and sustainable class of electrolytes together with nanostructured zinc deposits and fast charging conducting polymers. Project leader, Dr Karl Ryder says the team is focusing on electric vehicles as the current technology is bulky and requires frequent recharging. "Newer technologies such as lithium ion are very good but are quite expensive and surrounded by serious safety concerns - they are prone to burn fiercely on impact! Our work is aimed at developing an exciting and totally new battery technology that is lightweight and environmentally sustainable as well as both effective and safe." The research is being presented at the Festival of Postgraduate Research on Thursday 16 June.