The nanocrystal structures used in the batteries. Green arrows represent discharging, while purple represent charging. Current flows in through the iron-carbon nanostructure (left) and out through the nickel-carbon nanotube structure (right).
While 800 recharges doesn't sound like a lot, it's a beginning...............
Isn’t lithium also rather rare and expensive, whereas nickel and iron are rather plentiful and cheap?
The raw materials are fairly cheap. If it can be manufactured cheaply enough, then replacing after 800 charges may be cost effective.
The 800 charges in itself is not a problem, because you are using inexpensive materials and the battery would be easily replaceable.
It still comes down to how far you can go on a charge. Electric cars will not become viable if you cannot go 300 miles between charges.
The positive outcome of this is that it would screw China over because they’ve been stocking rare earth metals to corner the market.
We don’t want electric cars!We want ENERGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I heard that the main reason the nickel/iron battery was not successful a century ago was that it outgassed hydrogen whenever it was sitting idle. Leave your car in the garage overnight and have a nice kaboom in the morning. I’ve seen several articles about this new NiFe battery but none has addressed this topic.
How much do carbon nanotubes cost?
Are they being used anywhere commercially?
Do you buy them by the pound? Avoirdupois?