Paint, which will help save electricity at home Bashny.Net

The rise in sea level and atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have made the search for efficient sources of renewable energy more relevant than ever before. While such options as solar and wind power are gaining popularity, these energy sources have leaked to the masses need to solve the problem of storing such energy. Current batteries are not suitable for such purposes.





The decision of the experts see the fluorescent dye BODIPY — abbreviation for boron-dipyrromethene. Researchers from the University at Buffalo found two unusual properties in paint that make it a potential candidate for energy storage in redox flow batteries: storage of electrons involved in the transmission of electrons. This discovery is potentially important because the next generation of material must very good to maintain and retain energy and be eco-safe. A substance suitable for the purposes of the engineers, BODIPY, is already used as a sensor for the determination of proteins.

"As the world becomes increasingly dependent on alternative sources of energy, one of the important issues is the storage of energy? and What to do when the sun sets or the wind stopped?", says lead researcher Dr. Timothy Cook: "All these energy sources are intermittent, so we need a battery that can store enough energy to power the average home."





Redox flow batteries could potentially solve this problem, as their energy reservoirs can be easily extended to have the ability to store huge amounts of energy without a corresponding exponential growth in costs. Compared to lithium-ion batteries, such batteries would be more convenient, efficient and safe.

To check how well BODIPY-battery will work, the team dissolved the powder dye BODIPY in solvent and repeatedly charged and discharged it, all were 100 such cycles. They found that the mixture was able to store and transfer electrons to the entire period without loss, unlike many other chemical substances. Based on the test results, the researchers predict that BODIPY-battery will be able to generate about 2.3 volts.



To study the role of BODIPY in the energy storage is still in its infancy, and whether such a system is to find its place in the energy sector, only time will tell.

 

P. S. And remember, only by changing their consumption — together we change the world! ©

Source: ecotechnology