Ion-exchange membrane technologies are an enabling technology that determines the capital costs, energy efficiency and consumption, power density, and lifetime of many zero-carbon electrochemical processes for energy storage and conversion.
The team have developed and patented a family of novel synthetic ion exchange membranes from hydrocarbon-based polymers with 100 times higher selectivity than current membranes, and much longer operation, with lifetime predicted at 20 years. These polymer membranes can be dissolved in green solvents and casted using existing industrial machines without using polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The membranes can be easily integrated into a wide range of electrochemical devices, such as flow batteries, fuel cells, electrolysers, and electrodialysis separation systems.
The technology, currently at TRL level 3-4, has already generated interests from both large energy companies and small-to-medium-sized start-up companies manufacturing flow batteries, fuel cells, water electrolysers and electrodialysis devices. We are currently collaborating with several companies towards validation, scaling up and productization.
Media and coverage:
Electrochemical Energy Storage | Research groups | Imperial College London
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/261774/lithium-needed-battery-revolution-could-harvested