Some Battery Applications of Solid Electrolytes in Japan
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SOME BATTERY APPLICATIONS OF SOLID ELECTROLYTES IN JAPAN TAKEHIKO TAKAHASHI Professor Emeritus of Nagoya University Guest Professor of Aichi Institute of Technology Present Address: 2-106 Umemorizaka-Nishi, Meito-Ku.
Nagoya,
465 Japan
ABSTRACT In Japan, some micro-batteries using solid electrolytes, such as silver ion, copper ion and lithium ion conductors are now under development for applying them to micro-devices, integrated-circuits and very-large-scaleintegration. For these purposes, inorganic crystalline and glassy electrolytes as well as polymeric electrolytes have been developed. For electric energy storage batteries, sodium ion conductors such as betaor beta"alumina have been developed as the electrolyte. A 1 MWsodium-sulfur battery demonstration power plant is to be constructed in Japan by the fall of 1991. To the fuel cell applications, oxide ion conductors or hydrogen ion conductors have chiefly been tried to be used, though solid electrolyte fuel cells are now at an early stage of development in Japan. Further, an AMTEC system for thermal energy to electrical energy conversion using beta"alumina is under development in Japan. In this review paper, these battery applications of solid electrolytes in Japan are described briefly.
INTRODUCTION In recent years, the considerable progress in microelectronic technologies has given an impulse to miniaturization of electronic devices which has forced batteries also to be smaller in size, thinner in shape, and lighter in weight. In order to meet these requirements, solid state batteries having silver ion, copper ion, or lithium ion conducting electrolytes have been developed to be commercialized in near future in Japan. As one of strong means for conservation of energy, an electric energy storage by batteries is being watched with keen interest. A sodium sulfur battery is one of the candidates for this purpose. As the electrolyte for this battery, sodium ion conducting solid electrolyte, such as sodium betaor beta"-alumina has been developed. A one MWsodium-sulfur battery test power plant for utility load levelling is now under construction in Japan which will be completed by October 1991. The generation of electric energy with higher efficiency, lower atmospheric pollution, and lower cost is the main concerns of recent industry and society. For satisfying these requirements, fuel cells with solid electrolytes are given attention recently in Japan, though they are now in very early stage of development. Further, thermal energy conversion to electric energy by using beta"alumina, so called AMTEC or sodium heat engine, which is a sort of sodium concentration cell is now under investigation in Japan.
SOLID STATE MICRO-BATTERIES All solid state micro-batteries can be used in integrated circuits. As the electrolyte for these sorts of batteries, lithium ion conductors have chiefly been developed, though the other electrolytes such as silver ion and copper ion conductors have also been considered.
Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 210. (1991
Materials Research Soci
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