Recent adavances in zinc/air batteries

Advances in both electrically and mechanically rechargeable zinc/air batteries are reviewed. In the former, the discovery of new materials and advances in materials processing have led to an improvement in cycle life and power-performance. In mechanically rechargeable-or refuelable-batteries, process innovations and ingenious engineering features have resulted in the building and extensive road-testing of large zinc/air batteries in delivery vehicles and the performance of these electric fleet vehicles has been found to be equivalent to that of diesel-powered vehicles. Automation has been introduced in battery exchange, component handling and electrode manufacturing. The economics of battery replacement and zinc regeneration as a function of plant size is a major question which is being evaluated. A number of other potentially promising concepts for mechanical recharging is being pursued. Some of these would lend themselves more readily to passenger vehicles