In reply to George Holz's message of Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:27:28 -0500: Hi George, [snip] >More info on the silicon nanowire anode lithium battery: >http://www.edn.com/blog/1470000147/post/1940019194.html?nid=2019&rid=978640890 > >and > >http://www.gm-volt.com/2007/12/21/gm-voltcom-interview-with-dr-cui-inventor-of-silicon-nanowire-lithium-ion-battery-breakthrough > >Robin, > >It isn't yet clear that it will use less lithium for a given energy >storage.
Nevertheless, I expect that it will. AFAIK In most batteries, the charge is depleted long before most of the active chemical has been converted. This is particularly true where the active chemical forms a solid electrode. If the ratio of surface area to mass increases, then there is effectively less "waste" in the form of solid, and more active surface, hence a larger proportion of the active chemical can take part in the reaction. [snip] (However I may be couple of decades out of date ;) Regards, Robin van Spaandonk The shrub is a plant.
