4 ms·

This is really brilliant. They cycle between two chemical species that are thermodynamically very stable in our atmosphere, solid MnO2 and Mn2+. This is very s

This is really brilliant. They cycle between two chemical species that are thermodynamically very stable in our atmosphere, solid MnO2 and Mn2+. This is very smart as a starting point because you don't need to worry about the electrodes slowly rusting away (compare: related work with exotic/expensive/unstable rare earth oxides) Also this redox couple charges at 1.6 V so oxygen production (which is bad in a cell that also evolves hydrogen) does not really happen (this takes 2.0 V or so) Really exciting stuff.

raverbashing 9y ago
Makes me wonder why they didn't think of this before or what challenges have they overcome this time.
- ByThyGrace 9y ago
  It sounds too good to be true, right? Can't blame yourself for being skeptical so soon after the announcement.
  - endymi0n 9y ago
    Sometimes you just have to do something simple that just nobody else happened to have thought of before. Graphene and scotch tape comes to my mind...
- amelius 9y ago
  > Makes me wonder why they didn't think of this before Because a brute-force search is something only an IT professional can come up with.
  - spodek 9y ago
    “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” ― Thomas A. Edison
    - trisimix 9y ago
      Edison didn't even invent the lightbulb, which is what that quote is referencing.
      - logfromblammo 9y ago
        If I recall correctly, that one was about developing a better filament. I believe the winner was carbonized bamboo fibers. And the filament was the only part of Edison's initial bulb patent that proved to be novel on later examination. The most lasting contribution Edison made to the light bulb was the screw-in base, with one contact at the bottom and the other in the shell. But even then, there were a lot of alternative designs, as Edison was a real ass when it came to licensing. But he didn't brute-force far enough to develop the tungsten filament, did he?

raverbashing 9y ago

Makes me wonder why they didn't think of this before or what challenges have they overcome this time.

ByThyGrace 9y ago
It sounds too good to be true, right? Can't blame yourself for being skeptical so soon after the announcement.
- endymi0n 9y ago
  Sometimes you just have to do something simple that just nobody else happened to have thought of before. Graphene and scotch tape comes to my mind...
amelius 9y ago
> Makes me wonder why they didn't think of this before Because a brute-force search is something only an IT professional can come up with.
- spodek 9y ago
  “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” ― Thomas A. Edison
  - trisimix 9y ago
    Edison didn't even invent the lightbulb, which is what that quote is referencing.
    - logfromblammo 9y ago
      If I recall correctly, that one was about developing a better filament. I believe the winner was carbonized bamboo fibers. And the filament was the only part of Edison's initial bulb patent that proved to be novel on later examination. The most lasting contribution Edison made to the light bulb was the screw-in base, with one contact at the bottom and the other in the shell. But even then, there were a lot of alternative designs, as Edison was a real ass when it came to licensing. But he didn't brute-force far enough to develop the tungsten filament, did he?