SUNY Research Foundation

<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>The State University of New York - SUNY</strong></p>
<p>SUNY is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States. Encompassing 64 institutions that specialize in almost every imaginable field, SUNY includes research universities, academic medical centers, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and colleges of technology. Its campuses are home to a network of centers and institutes that specialize in and contribute to a wide array of policy issues and fields of research.</p>
<p>At SUNY, we are solving problems, discovering solutions, creating knowledge, and improving our world.</p>
<p><strong>SUNY Research Foundation</strong></p>
<p>The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (SUNY Research Foundation) is the largest comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country. It exists to serve the State University of New York by providing essential administrative services that enable SUNY faculty to focus their efforts on the education of students and the performance of life-changing research across a wide range of disciplines including medicine, engineering, physical sciences, energy, computer science, and social sciences.</p>
<p>The Research Foundation for SUNY provides talent, services, and technology that empower SUNY to research, innovate, and transfer discoveries that transform the world’s knowledge economy.</p>


<h1 id="background">Background</h1>
<p>Extremely high energy density batteries are needed for underwater electric ships such as unmanned submarines and naval observatories.</p>
<h1 id="technology-overview">Technology Overview</h1>
<p>The lithium-seawater battery, developed by University at Buffalo researchers, is made of two compartments: the anode compartment, which encloses the metal in non-aqueous electrolyte, and the cathode compartment, which contains a porous and electrically conductive material and seawater. A solid-state metal-ion conductive membrane is used to separate the two compartments. Inlets and outlets for seawater flow channels are installed in the cathode compartment and a mechanical pump is used to control and pump seawater into the compartment.</p>
<p>The theoretical energy density of a Li-seawater flow battery is about 11.6 kWh/kg while the cost for replacing the lithium in the anode is about $1.2/kWh. This makes the volumetric energy density of lithium-seawater flow battery about 2 kWh/L or 2,000 kWh/m<sup>3</sup>, which is 0.0005 m<sup>3</sup>/kWh.</p>
<p><img src="https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/assets.in-part.com/technologies/figures/6kcYXhBRT8aGA5RUBO3G_CONaOE2MTxm8MVhMrICP_7452-image.png" alt="Figure 1." /></p>
<h3 id="-stage-of-development-"><strong>Stage of Development</strong></h3>
<p>Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 2.</p>
<h1 id="benefits">Benefits</h1>
<p>The lithium-seawater battery can deliver over specific energy of 4,000 Wh/kg, which is much greater than that of any electrochemical energy storage system including hydrogen fuel cells.</p>
<h1 id="applications">Applications</h1>
<p>Emergency backup power on underwater vehicles or other naval equipment.</p>
<h1 id="opportunity">Opportunity</h1>
<p>Licensable upon conversion to regular patent.</p>
