Hydrogen research at @Toyota leads to a better battery https://t.co/QUIhxa5uZk pic.twitter.com/6dIPOl3yMz
— Liberationtech (@Liberationtech) May 6, 2016
Ever since Michael Faraday invented the first, crude electrical power generator in the 19th century, the world's technological progress has been tied to finding better sources of electric power. From your cell phone, to your car, to your home, everything runs on batteries!
There has been an arms race for who can make better, smaller, longer-lasting batteries. The new Toyota Prius just upgraded from nickel-metal hydride batteries to lithium-ion batteries, which take up half the space to pack the same amount of power -- meaning more trunk and seating room.
Lithium batteries have their limits, however. In theory, a magnesium-ion battery would be an even more energy-dense solution. The problem is, scientists need to find the correct electrolyte and cathode material to work with a magnesium anode.
For years, that electrolyte eluded scientists. The problem may have been that researchers tended to stay narrowly focused on their own projects. At the Toyota Research Institute, team members are able to work together, collaborate, and swap notes.
It was when TRI Principal Scientist Rana Mohtadi, working on storage material for hydrogen for the Toyota Mirai, spoke with her colleagues working on the battery issue, that the solution finally revealed itself.
"We were able to take a material that was only used in hydrogen storage and we made it practical and very competitive for magnesium battery chemistry. It was exciting," said Mohtadi. "Since we have an electrolyte that works really well, now it's the time to demonstrate the viable system."
Indulge in the spirit of innovation at Capitol Toyota, and see the fruits of a collaborative working environment in our new inventory.
