Science Daily  January 2, 2018
Researchers in Japan have developed a flow-type polymer electrolyte cell for power storage. The cell reduces oxalic acid (OX) to glycolic acid, which has a higher volumetric energy-storage capacity than hydrogen gas. Newly fabricated TiO2 cathode enhanced the speed and efficiency of OX reduction. By using a solid polymer electrolyte in direct contact with the electrodes, the reaction can be as a continuous flow without addition of impurities. The maximum volumetric energy capacity of the GC solution is around 50 times that of hydrogen gas. The energy efficiency, as opposed to capacity, lags behind other technologies. However, this is a promising first step to a new method for storing excess current. Read more.  Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Credit: Masaaki Sadakiyo / International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University