Thanks for the feedback! You make a great point about the advantages of lead acid and lithium iron phosphate.
That said, the appeal of aluminum-air lies in its safety, zero pollution, and extremely long shelf life (20+ years). It’s designed for specific use cases, especially where weight and recharging are less of a concern, like in emergency scenarios or remote locations where long-term storage matters more.
I agree with your points regarding some of the current limitations of aluminum-air batteries. However, I believe they still offer great potential, especially for emergency power and off-grid applications. As you mentioned, the single-use nature is a concern, but it’s important to note that while the aluminum anode is consumed, the air electrode remains intact and can be reused, which makes the battery more sustainable over time. So, while the aluminum needs to be replaced, it’s not as wasteful as it might seem at first glance.
Regarding the electrolyte, yes, it needs to be added before use, but this process is quite simple and quick. For emergency use, it’s actually very convenient, and I don’t think most users will find it cumbersome. For applications like vehicles, as you mentioned, replacing the battery at a station could be faster than recharging an EV, and the light weight and high energy density are significant advantages in such situations.
Thanks for the input! You’re absolutely right — aluminum-air batteries have limitations, like being non-rechargeable and producing aluminum hydroxide as a by-product, which can be a challenge for processing. That’s one of the reasons I love the innovation happening in the battery space, as there are always trade-offs with different technologies.
However, aluminum-air batteries still have great potential for emergency power and off-grid applications, where long-term rechargeability isn’t a primary concern. They’re lightweight, environmentally friendly, and great for scenarios where power is needed for a short period, like during power outages or in remote locations.> I did some googling and aluminum air seems to have the huge problem of being non rechargeable and leaving a hard to process by-product of aluminum hydroxide.
I’ve wanted to make/buy a Nickel Iron (Edison battery) for years. They are practically infinitely rechargeable. The only downside is size and weight. They don’t get any investments because it’s only good for home power and infinite lifespan is bad for business.
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Agreed — that’s the core issue. Aluminum-air doesn’t fit the mental model people have of a “battery” since it isn’t rechargeable in the conventional sense. Once you require anode replacement or external recycling, it stops competing with AA or Li-ion on convenience.
From what I’ve read, the hybrid demos weren’t true recharging but more of a fuel-cycle approach using aluminum as a consumable. That makes it fundamentally different.
That said, I’m not sure it needs to replace AA or Li-ion to be useful. Do you think there’s still room for technologies like this in niche or emergency scenarios where shelf life and energy density matter more than rechargeability?
So at what age do you think one should realize this?> Your over 30 and you just realised words have different effects on people?
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30+ here. Drink more water, wear sunscreen, take photos of your friends, and don’t marry someone just because the Wi-Fi is shared
Fusion power will probably go the boring “heat → turbine” route for giant power plants.
Ironically, the things that are most useful in real life tend to be much simpler — basic chemistry, easy to use, and they don’t care if the grid is down.
Me too, came from reddit.
I don’t really care whether LLMs are “intelligent” or not. In the real world, tools either work or they don’t. Same as a generator, radio, or water filter. They can extend your capabilities, but they never replace judgment, planning, or responsibility. Over-reliance is the real risk.
Same here. I’m still on Reddit, but the moderation can feel unpredictable, and it’s discouraging when normal comments get flagged. Finding Lemmy has been refreshing, and I’d like to see the community grow into something sustainable and balanced.
Thanks for your comment! You’re right that lead-acid and lithium batteries are less polluting due to their rechargeability. Regarding the shelf life, you’re correct that all batteries last longer if their electrolyte is kept separate.You look like a battery expert.jajaja