Electrochemistry: Commercial Voltaic Cells
24/05/2013
Commerce
CHM 1046 General Chemistry II Dr. Michael Blaber
Electrochemistry
Commercial Voltaic Cells Voltaic cells provide a convenient, safe and portable supply of electrical energy. The Industrial Revolution marked the development of heat engines, and other devices, that utilized the energy released from combustion reactions in the form of heat The Digital Age (Electronic Revolution?) revolves around devices that require energy in the form of electrical energy. Such devices require voltaic cells and redox chemistry (as opposed to gasoline and combustion chemistry) The future??? This might include devices that depend upon chemical reactions that release light. Technology in transition The automobile industry has relied upon combustion reactions (the internal combustion engine). But these pollute, causing acid rain and global warming. Also, fossil fuels are a limited resource. Electric cars promise lower pollution, and are essentially silent (an important feature in a populationdense world). A few electric cars have been developed, but they have problems: Range is limited The electrical systems are heavy They are expensive All of the above drawbacks are related primarily to the voltaic cells Hybrid combustion/voltaic systems have been developed and can be purchased These designs combine a small internal combustion (IC) engine with an electric motor and voltaic cells The IC engine may power an electric generator for the electric subsystem. The IC engine can therefore run at its most efficient rpm at all times (even when the car is not moving). Alternatively, the IC engine can be drive the wheels directly during situations when extra power is needed (starting, passing, going uphill, etc.). All other times, the car is powered by the electric motor. These cars still have problems related to the size/weight/storage capacity of voltaic cells Other stuff Steam engines in trains used heat (from the combustion of coal) to cause a phase transition in
Commerce
CHM 1046 General Chemistry II Dr. Michael Blaber
Electrochemistry
Commercial Voltaic Cells Voltaic cells provide a convenient, safe and portable supply of electrical energy. The Industrial Revolution marked the development of heat engines, and other devices, that utilized the energy released from combustion reactions in the form of heat The Digital Age (Electronic Revolution?) revolves around devices that require energy in the form of electrical energy. Such devices require voltaic cells and redox chemistry (as opposed to gasoline and combustion chemistry) The future??? This might include devices that depend upon chemical reactions that release light. Technology in transition The automobile industry has relied upon combustion reactions (the internal combustion engine). But these pollute, causing acid rain and global warming. Also, fossil fuels are a limited resource. Electric cars promise lower pollution, and are essentially silent (an important feature in a populationdense world). A few electric cars have been developed, but they have problems: Range is limited The electrical systems are heavy They are expensive All of the above drawbacks are related primarily to the voltaic cells Hybrid combustion/voltaic systems have been developed and can be purchased These designs combine a small internal combustion (IC) engine with an electric motor and voltaic cells The IC engine may power an electric generator for the electric subsystem. The IC engine can therefore run at its most efficient rpm at all times (even when the car is not moving). Alternatively, the IC engine can be drive the wheels directly during situations when extra power is needed (starting, passing, going uphill, etc.). All other times, the car is powered by the electric motor. These cars still have problems related to the size/weight/storage capacity of voltaic cells Other stuff Steam engines in trains used heat (from the combustion of coal) to cause a phase transition in