Symmetric, Air-Tolerant And Membraneless All Organic Flow Batteries

Patent Status

Patent Pending

Brief Description

Grid-scale energy storage systems are currently hindered by the high capital costs of ion-selective membranes, the toxicity of metal-based electrolytes, and the requirement for strictly anaerobic environments. Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a symmetric, air-tolerant, and membraneless all-organic flow battery utilizing a novel electrolyte that eliminates the need for expensive membranes and complex air-exclusion hardware by employing a single organic compound that functions as both the positive and negative active material. The resulting battery technology provides a highly scalable, low-cost, and sustainable energy storage solution that maintains high efficiency and chemical stability under ambient conditions.

Suggested uses

• • Renewable energy integration for utility-scale solar and wind farms.

  • Long-duration energy storage for industrial microgrids and backup power systems.

  • Commercial peak-shaving and load-leveling for large facilities.

  • Remote power storage for off-grid telecommunications and rural communities.

  • Large-capacity energy arbitrage for grid stabilization.

  
  

   

Advantages

• • Membraneless architecture significantly reduces stack manufacturing costs and simplifies maintenance.

  • Air-tolerance allows for operation in ambient conditions, eliminating the need for expensive inert gas blanketing.

  • Symmetric design inherently prevents cross-contamination and simplifies electrolyte management and reclamation.

  • All-organic chemistry utilizes earth-abundant materials, ensuring a sustainable and metal-free supply chain.

  • Simplified system to reduce overall footprint and operational complexity.

  
  

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