Re:Battery supply problems faced by electric air taxis
by jacobwilliamroy on Wednesday February 05, 2020 @07:42AM
(#22246248)
What exactly do they mean by "seawater"? Not all seawater is exactly the same, chemically speaking. I have actually measured "seawater" before, and the chemistry of the water at a single location can vary wildly from day to day. I just want to know under what conditions they tested their prototype!
THIS IS NOT BAD FAITH FAUX IGNORANCE. I AM ACTUALLY CURIOUS ABOUT THIS.
Re:Battery supply problems faced by electric air taxis
by Tade0 on Wednesday February 05, 2020 @09:19AM
(#22246839)
Lithium content varies as much as salt content, but one thing is certain: the open seas are consistently salty.
Re:Battery supply problems faced by electric air taxis
by jacobwilliamroy on Wednesday February 05, 2020 @09:45AM
(#22247031)
That's only if you take the average of all the measurements collected across the entire ocean for decades. In one spot, salinity is not consistent. Patterns of evaporation and rainfall affect not only salinity but also the presence of organic matter and other random contaminants. Such fluctuations are most pronounced at the surface, where this device is meant to operate.
Re:Battery supply problems faced by electric air taxis
by marcosdumay on Wednesday February 05, 2020 @07:51AM
(#22246291)
It's the substance that composes those 75% of the surface of our planet that we call "sea".
> Based on the consumption rate projected for 2050, the residual lithium reserve on land will be exhausted by 2080
> In contrast, the ocean contains 230 billion tons of lithium, an amount four orders of magnitude larger than the lithium reserves on land
> our prototype device can be powered by a solar panel and metallic lithium can be directly generated during the lithium extraction process