FAIR Battery
Open Science is one of the key reasons LPL exists. It allows us to connect to other research institutions and develop complex projects. Josh’s iteration of the open science battery project represents the latest phase is in this multiple year collaboration between UU and the Flow Battery Research Collective.
The project is to develop a FAIR* battery that will be low cost and use locally available material in addition to accessible fabrication techniques to make a battery that could be produced all over the world. One day, this might mean energy storage, but it is currently focused on the academic environment.
The battery makes use of a redox flow-cell, meaning that it uses electrolytes to generate a current rather than solid anodes/cathodes . This utilizes a positive and negative solution separated by a membrane. Ions can pass through the membrane causing a reaction that free electrons from the electrolytes to flow, generating current. In this case Zn/I electrolytes as they are non-toxic and have an acceptable energy density of >20Wh/L.
Josh’s role was to interpret the provided open-science instructions and try to build his own flow cell. The main challenge here was to find suitable materials and methods to ensure the battery was stable, reliable, easy to put together and easy to produce. The result was a 3D printed jig that holds the components in place, polypropylene reservoirs to hold the electrolyte, laser-cut and resin printed membranes to keep the electrolytes separated and milled PEEK holders. This volume of electrolyte that enters the flow cell is controlled by a microcontroller that powers to motors.
To test the battery, a workshop, Flow4UBattery, was organized in Eindhoven. This provided user testing for the functionality of the battery and useful feedback.
This project highlights the power of open science and collaboration
