The University of Kentucky (UK) last week said that its researchers will work with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study redox flow battery (RFB) technology under a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
UK chemistry professors synthesized new organic compounds as donors and acceptors to use in the development and investigation of a prototype RFB for use in large-scale energy storage applications.
The grant was awarded under the NSF Partnerships for Innovation: Accelerating Innovation Research-Technology Translation project, which focuses on incorporating high concentration organic electrolytes for RFBs into functional, high-voltage, stationary batteries.
According to NSF, the project investigates nonaqueous RFBs containing organic electro-active species. This proposed type of RFB, NSF said, has the following features relative to other RFB designs:
- Higher operating voltages
- Noncorrosive electrolytes
- Smaller size
- Use of scalable organic active materials — more environmentally friendly and potentially lower cost
The study is expected to conclude at the end of 2018.
Lead image credit: John Phelan | CC BY 3.0 | Wikimedia Commons
