PORTABLE POWER-SUPPLY DEVICES
The concept of aluminum-hydrogen power engineering is under development at Institute for New Energetic Problems (INEP JIHT RAS); this concept is based on the utilization of an unconventional energy carrier such as aluminum for electrical power generation, including the use of autonomous electrochemical generators.
Principal Spheres of Research and Development:
1. Portable charging device for cell phones utilizing air-aluminum batteries
2. Flashlights with air-aluminum batteries rechargeable in the field
3. Emergency stationary air-aluminum electrochemical generators
4. Air-aluminum electrochemical generator-based power-supply units for vehicles
5. Development and manufacture of air cathodes and aluminum-based anode alloys and electrodes
Portable charging device for cell phones
utilizing air-aluminum batteries
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A portable charging device has been developed for charging the batteries of cell phones in locations where it is impossible to use conventional charging devices supplied from the mains or from on-board circuit |
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The charging device is triggered as shown in the pictograms:
1. remove the stops from the buttons on the lid,
2. push the buttons for puncturing the membranes and putting in the electrolyte,
3. hold the device in an inclined position for several seconds for uniform distribution of electrolyte in the battery elements, and
4. connect the cell phone |
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The charging device provides for charging Li-ion, Li-polymer, nickel-metal hydride, and nickel-cadmium storage batteries with a capacity up to 1,5 ampere-hours.
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Basic characteristics of the charging device
Rated voltage, V 4,2
Discharge current, A 0,33
Time of discharge, hours 4
Overall dimensions, length*width*height, cm 8,0*6,3*7,8
Mass, kg 0,2
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Flashlight-floodlight with air-aluminum battery rechargeable in the field
A flashlight-floodlight has been developed, which utilizes a battery of air-aluminum fuel cells (AAFC) with salt electrolyte with a capacity of 70 ampere-hours.
The recharging is made for two or three minutes by way of replacing electrolyte and/or anodes. This is especially convenient in the absence of centralized or on-board power supply and in the field.
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Overall dimensions of the flashlight-floodlight, 190*120*250 mm; overall dimensions of the battery, 152*73*103 mm; mass of flashlight without electrolyte, 0,94 kg; mass of flashlight with electrolyte, 1,37 kg. The store of electrolyte is sufficient for the flashlight operation for 8 hours. The anodes with the overall mass of 150 g provide for 120 hours of continuous operation of flashlight. The specific energy of AAFC battery is 470 W-h/kg, and its electrochemical capacity is 90 A-h. With the voltage of 6 V, the rated discharge current will amount to 0,75 A dc. |
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The cost of power generated by AAFC is defined by the cost of the anodes and, according to our estimates, is of the order of 0,04 ruble per watt-hour; this is much lower than that in the case of flashlights with dry expendable batteries. The expected quantity-production cost price of flashlight is 350 rubles.
