Extremely dense efficient battery created in lab

[IDemo]

by TechNewsDaily staff
updated 7/13/2010 6:33:25 PM ET

Using super-high pressures similar to those found deep in the Earth or on a giant planet, researchers have created a compact, never-before-seen material capable of storing vast amounts of energy.

To create this material, researchers crushed xenon difluoride — a white crystal used to etch silicon conductors — between two small diamond anvils. A so-called diamond anvil cell is a small device just a few inches in diameter capable of producing extremely high pressures in an even smaller space.

Though the research is just at a basic science level for now, the findings shows it is possible to infuse mechanical energy into a material via extremely strong chemical bonds.

"It is the most condensed form of energy storage outside of nuclear energy," says Choong-Shik Yoo, a professor of chemistry at Washington State University and lead author of the paper published in a recent issue of the journal Nature Chemistry.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38230362/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/

[jtuck004]

1. And could we please keep the manufacturing of this in the U.S.?

Between this and supercapacitors we might get electric vehicles with a range better than 40 or so miles, and that would be a whole new era.

[Christopher Calder]

2. What would the Pentagon do with this?

This is an interesting story, but it does not explain how we would get electricity out of it, only another high-explosive. This would be the perfect explosive to use in our cruise missiles. You can bet if it really works the Pentagon will turn it into a weapon before Detroit turns it into a car battery.