Scientists at Stanford have developed a battery that uses nanotechnology to create electricity from the difference in salt content between fresh water and sea water. The researchers hope to use the technology to create power plants where fresh-water rivers flow into the ocean. The new “mixing entropy” battery alternately immerses its electrodes in river water and sea water to produce the electrical power.
Making electricity from the difference in salinity (the amount of salt) in fresh water and sea water is not a new concept. We’ve previously covered salinity power technology, and Norway’s Statkraft has built a working prototype power plant. But the Stanford team, led by associate professor of materials science and engineering Yi Cui, believes their method is more efficient, and can be built more cheaply. Read more
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