Can DIY Aluminum Air Batteries Compete with Commercial Fuel Cells for Home Use?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of DIY aluminum air batteries and their potential to compete with commercial fuel cells for home use. Participants explore the theoretical and practical aspects of battery technology, including energy density, production methods, and the challenges of home manufacturing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the possibility of creating a DIY aluminum air battery with an energy density exceeding 150Wh/kg, citing theoretical values of 6000-8000Wh/kg but acknowledging practical limitations.
  • Another participant emphasizes the difficulty of achieving high energy densities without significant experience and proper facilities for battery construction.
  • Concerns are raised about the viability of metal-air battery technologies due to potential cycle limitations, suggesting that home-built batteries may not match commercial standards.
  • A participant reflects on the historical context of battery technology, comparing past innovations to current limitations and expressing a belief in the potential for future breakthroughs, particularly with aluminum air batteries.
  • Discussion includes the recycling potential of aluminum and the possibility of using alternative fuels for fuel cells, with a focus on the challenges of hydrogen storage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of skepticism and optimism regarding the feasibility of DIY battery technologies. There is no consensus on the practicality of achieving high energy densities or the effectiveness of home-built systems compared to commercial options.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations related to experience, equipment, and the current state of technology in battery production. The discussion highlights unresolved questions about the efficiency and practicality of proposed methods.

Oxieee
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I have been looking for a suitable battery unit for a medium car. I've done some research but am confused about the following 2 :

1)))))Aluminum Air battery - is it possible to make one at home anyhow having higher than 150Wh/Kg?
Actual is 1300 (practical), 6000/8000 (theoretical) W·h/kg...this is amazingly dense but would be awfully expensive and being only primary id better make 1 at home end recycle Al.

2))))) alkali fuel cell. the cell is cheaply made(hopefully available), and hydrogen i can produce endless at home. only prob is if there is another fuel alternative for the cell (eg. Liquid) it wold be like a piece of cake to store and recycle. Is there any liquid kinda substitute for Hydrogen gas?

All i want is something is can process/produce at home having hopefully over 200Wh/Kg...Thankz
 
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Unless you have a lot of experience building batteries, fuel cells, or super capacitors, you're not going to hit 150Wh/kg with any kind of battery except maybe lithium-air. What kind of facilities do you have in your home? Do you have a clean room along with all the basic chemical equipment such as a fume hood, oven, hot press, mixers, etc?
 
Don't you think one (or all) of the major car makers would use Li-air if it was possible? I suspect that any metal-air battery technology would have severe cycle limitations. You cannot make batteries at home that would come close to commercially made ones. You also cannot make practical fuel-cells in your home.
 
sorry for late reply...no i have almost no experience but yes i would like to earn some...basically i was looking forward to these batteries potential. Although the whole idea is improbable, i believe its worth a try for innovations sake.
as might k,normally 1 can get his car converted into an electric hybrid for under $4000-having a range of 40miles ( using lead acid batteries).
But the fact is that in early early 1900's you could gt yourself a phaeton with range of 18miles for as little as $2000 ALSO running on lead acid batteries.
The difference is that now its commercial, and i suppose back then it was made as part of revolution.
We all agree that energy from radioactive materials can be drawn for more than a decade without any energy in or repairs(such as betavoltic cell used in pacemakers).Have a look at this article http://www.nextenergynews.com/news1/next-energy-news-betavoltaic-10.1.html"
It is settle that this is possible and technology is among us.Notice its last line " will be in shelves within 2-3 years" you right. The truth of the matter is we won't see them commercially for the next decades.right now just the military has started using it practically so we can forget having it for our 30yrs laptops. Same way if Li/air batteries are any good we won't see them quick in market until it is exactly the way our normal lives are with ICE.

Now if Al/air batteries have shown 1300Wh/kg and theoretical is up to 8000Wh/kg ( WOW ) its worth a try..ALSO THE aluminum COULD BE RECYCLED EXTERNALLY therapeutically no cycle reduction, just like Zinc/air rechargeable batteries are being tested having uncompromisable cycles again the commercial batteries.http://www.technologyreview.com/business/23812/"

The point is that commercially things would reach us late and expensive. we could all agree that the combination of natures technology are limitless, yet FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY we have been using lead acid batteries despite all development and breakthroughs.
 
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