Virus Improves Battery Efficiency

Nov-16-13 By genetically modifying a virus, researchers have discovered a way to improve the durability of lithium-air batteries—a discovery that could help make electric cars more attractive to consumers.

Lithium-air batteries are able to increase power without increasing weight, but are limited by their lack of durability and short lifespan. To address these problems, researchers at MIT bio-engineered the M13 virus and used it to increase the surface area of the battery’s nanowire array. Increasing the surface area of the wires also increased the area of electrochemical activity, allowing the wires to pull more oxygen from the air and enhance the battery’s efficiency.

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[MIT]

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