Rechargeable non-toxic manganese-zinc batteries

The authors describe the results of the development of a rechargeable manganese-zinc battery using a material which has physical properties comparable to electrolytic-preparation manganese dioxide. They further outline a proposed cell design for electric vehicle or SLI batteries. Experimental methods and results are discussed. The system can be designed to allow both inexpensive cells with limited cycle life, and cells with modified electrolytes and different construction allowing very long cycle life. Flat-plate cells can be made for high- and medium-rate applications, depending on construction and plate geometry. The system can be used for a lightweight high-power SLI battery design. The system can be used for electric vehicle batteries. Under practical conditions of commuter vehicle use, it should result in much longer cycle life, and therefore lower life-cycle cost, than lead-acid. It is capable of three times the weight and volume energy density of lead-acid and it should be capable of delivering a power density of 300 W/kg, which is more than adequate for an SLI or practical electric vehicle battery