Project Title:

Rechargeable Zinc-Air Cell

10.07-1353
900194
Rechargeable Zinc-Air Cell

Abstract:

This project could provide NASA with safe, rechargeable batteries with 10 times the
specific energy of those currently available, for a wide variety of applications
on the Space Station Freedom. Unfortunately, the specific energies of all other available,
rechargeable batteries are too low. Those for lead-acid and nickel-cadmium are only
35 Wh/kg, and while somewhat higher at 55 Wh/kg, nickel-hydrogen has a low-energy-density
which, at only 60 Wh/l, makes it rather bulky. The zinc-air battery has the highest
specific energy of all practical battery systems, including lithium, and it is inherently
safe, but it currently is only manufactured in small button cells and bulky, low-rate
industrial batteries, both of which are non-rechargeable. However, recent advances
in rechargeable zinc and oxygen electrode technology for other applications present
an opportunity to develop a rechargeable zinc-air battery with a specific energy
of 350 Wh/kg.
Low power application would occur in portable electronic and electrical products:
 2-way radios, cellular telephones, medical telemetry, instrumentation and test equipment,
audio and video tape equipment, household appliances, power tools, portable computers,
and oceanographic and meteorological equipment. High power applications are possible
for vehicle and aircraft SLI, vehicle traction, emergency and standby power, lighting
and utility load leveling.
air battery, cell, rechargeable, secondary, zinc