Publication in Nature

In the renowned world-leading scientific journal 'Nature' the concept of the revolutionary, polymer-based redox-flow-battery is presented (21st October, 2015). The joint publication by the Friedrich Schiller University and JenaBatteries GmbH covers various aspects of the novel technology and lays the foundation for further scientific research and economic development in this field.

Abstract: "For renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric to be effectively used in the grid of the future, flexible and scalable energy-storage solutions are necessary to mitigate output fluctuations. […] For systems that are intended for both domestic and large-scale use, safety and cost must be taken into account as well as energy density and capacity, particularly regarding long-term access to metal resources, which places limits on the lithium-ion-based and vanadium-based RFB development. Here we describe an affordable, safe, and scalable battery system, which uses organic polymers as the charge-storage material in combination with inexpensive dialysis membranes, which separate the anode and the cathode by the retention of the non-metallic, active (macro-molecular) species, and an aqueous sodium chloride solution as the electrolyte. […]"

Read more in the original publication:

Nature 2015, DOI:10.1038/nature15746

Tobias Janoschka, Norbert Martin, Udo Martin, Christian Friebe, Sabine Morgenstern, Hannes Hiller, Martin D. Hager, Ulrich S. Schubert: "An aqueous, polymer-based redox-flow battery using non-corrosive, safe, and low-cost materials"

Press release Friedrich Schiller University (English)

Press release Friedrich-Schiller-Universiät (Deutsch)

Picture: Inventors of the new redox-flow-battery technology; f.l.t.r.: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schubert, Tobias Janoschka, Dr. Martin Hager. Photo credits: Anne Günther / FSU Jena.