Scientists at the University of Leicester in cooperation with other major institutes and organizations are working on the development of innovative, environmentally sustainable zinc-plastic system-based rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.
The EU Seventh Framework Programme is funding the €3.5 million worth project called PolyZion in which major research institutes are studying about batteries, pulse charging, zinc deposition, conducting plastics and ionic liquids. Since the worldwide market for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles is expected to reach $2 billion by 2015, opportunities and potential for innovative battery technologies are high.
According to Claire Fullarton, a postgraduate researcher of University of Leicester’s Department of Chemistry, the research work is required due to the restrictions of existing batteries used in electric vehicles and the issues related with diesel and petrol fueled automobiles such as increasing fuel prices, environmental impact and alarming shortage of oil.
The research project comprises innovative ultra-quick charging conducting polymers, nano-structured zinc deposits and a new class of eco-sustainable, inexpensive ionic liquids as electrolytes that are inert to moisture and air.
Rescoll, Institute de Recherche d’Hydro-Québec, AE Favorsky Irkutsk Institute of Chemistry, KEMA Nederland BV, University of Porto, Celaya Emparanza y Galdos SA (Cegasa), Fundacion CIDETEC, C-Tech Innovation and University of Leicester are the organizations and institutes participating in the project.
Source: http://www2.le.ac.uk