Source: By Degimages/  Adobe Stock File #795425033

Background

Flow batteries are highly desirable for because they decouple power and energy, allowing storage expansion through increased electrolyte volume. However, maintaining the capacity and neutral charge in the battery cell is essential, which is often facilitated by ion-selective membranes. These membranes allow specific ions to pass through and prevent active species crossover but have always faced the challenge of striking a balance between ion selectivity and conductivity. Current solutions suffer from high costs and heavy crossover due to the large amount of cation active species. Options like Sulfonated Poly (ether ether ketone) or SPEEK, also present issues like heavy swelling and decreased stability. The industry has been searching for a solution that offers high ion selectivity, conductivity, and affordability without compromising on any single metric.

Technology Overview

Northeastern researchers have developed a double-layer ion-selective membrane to improve the function of flow batteries by enhancing ion selectivity and conductivity. Its differentiation lies in the unique blend of efficiency, affordability, and scalability it brings to flow batteries. Traditional ion-exchange and porous membranes require a tradeoff between ion selectivity and conductivity; however, this new membrane design eliminates that need and offers high ion selectivity and conductivity simultaneously. Furthermore, the use of a low-cost layer coupled with an ultrathin layer significantly reduces the overall cost creating a promising solution for commercial implementation.

Benefits

• Improved ion selectivity and conductivity, leading to better battery performance
• High chemical stability and good mechanical strength, enhancing the durability of batteries
• Reduced cost due to the use of a low-cost layer
• Less energy loss due to excellent ion conductivity, improving energy efficiency
• Increased life span of flow batteries due to enhanced stability

Applications

• Large-scale energy storage systems
• Grid stabilization and power quality management
• Renewable energy integration, storing excess power generated by wind or solar farms
• Emergency power supplies and back-up systems
• Remote area power supplies where grid connection is not feasible or reliable

Opportunity

• Research Collaboration
• License

Patents

• Pending US Application

IP Status

• Patent application submitted

Seeking

• Development partner
• Licensing