TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to energy storage devices, and more particularly, to a battery including magnetite.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional alkaline batteries convert chemical energy into electrical energy in order to power devices. Generally, conventional alkaline batteries include zinc, comprising an anode, and manganese dioxide, comprising an cathode. The materials comprising the anode react with the materials comprising the cathode to generate electricity.

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional alkaline battery 100. Generally, the conventional alkaline battery 100 includes an anode 102, a cathode 104, a positive terminal 106, a negative terminal 108, an casing 110, a separator 112, and a current pick up 114. The anode 102 generally comprises zinc and potassium hydroxide electrolyte in a gel, and the cathode 104 generally comprises manganese dioxide compressed into a paste with carbon powder. The cathode 104 forms a ring within the casing 110 such that a hollow center remains and is filled by the anode 102. The cathode 104 is lined with the separator 112, which conducts ions and separates the cathode 104 from the anode 102.

[0004] The battery 100 may connect to a circuit by connecting both the negative terminal 106 and the positive terminal 108 to the circuit. When connected to a circuit, a chemical reaction occurs between the manganese dioxide in the cathode 104 and the zinc in the anode 102 to generate electrical energy.

[0005] Conventional alkaline batteries come in various sizes (AA, AAA, C, D, etc.) and have various capacities. However, conventional alkaline batteries are not rechargeable and have only limited electrical capacity, so alkaline batteries may often need to be replaced. Some improvements to conventional alkaline batteries have been suggested, such as using rechargeable lithium ion batteries. However, these batteries can be more expensive. A battery that is both rechargeable and cheap is desired to improve on the problems of the prior art. SUMMARY

[0006] The systems and methods described herein attempt to overcome the drawbacks discussed above by including magnetite powder in a battery. Including magnetite in a battery increases the capacity of the battery, and the battery can be recharged upon the application of a magnetic field.

[0007] In one embodiment, a battery has an anode and a cathode, and the battery comprises a magnetite mixture comprising powdered magnetite and a catalyst coating the outside of a current pick up within the anode.

[0008] In another embodiment, a battery comprises an anode; and a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises magnetite. The cathode can further comprise manganese dioxide and carbon.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, a battery having an anode and a cathode, the battery comprises a current pick up having an inner chamber, the inner chamber of the current pick up comprising a mixture of powdered magnetite and a catalyst.

[0010] Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings constitute a part of this specification and illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the specification, explain the invention.

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a conventional alkaline battery according to the prior art.

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates a battery including magnetite according to an exemplary embodiment

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates a battery including magnetite according to an exemplary embodiment. [0016] Figure 4 illustrates a battery including magnetite according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0018] The embodiments described above are intended to be exemplary. One skilled in the art recognizes that numerous alternative components and embodiments may be substituted for the particular examples described herein and still fall within the scope of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a battery 200 including magnetite powder according to an exemplary embodiment. The battery 200 includes an anode 202, a cathode 204, a positive terminal 206, a negative terminal 208, an casing 210, a separator 212, and a current pick up 214. The positive terminal 206, the negative terminal 208, and the current pick up 214 may comprise any metal material, such as steel or copper. In some embodiments, a current pick up 214 comprising copper can perform better than a steel current pick up 214.

[0020] The separator 212 may comprise any ion conducting material, such as a cellulous material or a synthetic polymer. The separator 212 separates the anode 202 and the cathode 204 but still allows cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions) to move through the separator 212 and thereby perform the chemical reaction between the anode 202 and the cathode 204.

[0021] The casing 210 houses the internal components of the battery 200. The casing 210 may be cylindrical in shape (or any other shape) and comprises steel, plastic, aluminum, or any other material. The casing 210 may be wrapped in another material or covered by another material, such as plastic, to dissipate heat generated by the battery 200 or release pressure in response to added pressure within the battery 200 during the chemical reaction between the anode 202 and the cathode 204.

[0022] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the anode 202 may comprise zinc and the cathode 204 may comprise manganese dioxide. The anode 202 may further include potassium hydroxide electrolyte, and the cathode 204 may further comprise carbon. In some embodiments, the anode 202 may comprise a mixture of lye, vinegar, water, zinc powder, silver powder, or lead powder. [0023] In addition to the above described components, the battery 200 includes a magnetite coating 216 coating on the current pick up 214. The magnetite coating 216 comprises powdered magnetite and a catalyst.

[0024] The amount of magnetite comprising the magnetite coating 216 may be carefully controlled. If too much magnetite 216 is applied to the current pick up 214, the chemical reaction that occurs within the battery 200 may generate too much pressure and cause battery leakage or an explosion. The amount of magnetite 215 coating the current pick up 214 may depends on the size of the battery 200. In testing, the current-pick up 214 was coated by rolling it in a the mixture of magnetite and the catalyst.

[0025] The powdered magnetite comprising the magnetite coating 216 may be substantially dried before coating the current pick up 214. For example, heat may be applied to the magnetite powder comprising the magnetite coating 216 before applying the powdered magnetite to the current pick up 214.

[0026] The magnetite coating 216 may include a catalyst. The catalyst may be lemon juice, apple juice, vinegar, olive oil, sodium hydroxide (lye), and/or any other acidic substance. The amount of catalyst included in the magnetite coating 216 depends on the amount of powdered magnetite included in the magnetite coating 216. For example, the ratio of magnetite to catalyst in the magnetite coating 216 may be 3: 1 (i.e., 75% magnetite, 25% catalyst). The magnetite coating 216 may include other materials as well, such as lithium, zinc, or lead. The amount of other materials included in the magnetite coating 216 that coats the current pick up 214 must also be controlled. For example, the magnetite coating 216 comprises 50% magnetite, 25% lithium, and 25% catalyst.

[0027] A tumbler may mix together the powdered magnetite, catalyst, and other materials comprising the magnetite coating 216 before the mixture is applied to the current pick up 214. The materials may mix together in the tumbler for a predetermined amount of time, such as 10 minutes to an hour.

[0028] The battery 200 including the magnetite coating 216 has increased efficiency. For example, when the magnetite coating 216 coats a current pick up 214 of a C-cell, the C-cell battery can exhibit similar or greater performance than that of a D-cell battery. In general, the addition of the magnetite mixture 216 can improve the output of the battery 200 by about 25- 50%. The amount of powdered magnetite included in the magnetite coating 216 affects the improved performance. In general, the more magnetite included in the magnetite coating 216, the better the performance of the battery 200. However, as described above, if the magnetite coating 216 includes too much magnetite, the battery 200 may leak or explode as a result of too much pressure and heat generated by the battery 200.

[0029] Accordingly, a conventional alkaline battery may be improved by coating the magnetite coating 216 on a current pick up 214. For example, a conventional alkaline battery may be disassembled such that the negative terminal 206 and the current pick up 214 together are removed from the other components of the battery 200. After removing the negative terminal 206 and the current pick up 214, the current pick up 214 may be coated with the magnetite mixture, which includes at least magnetite powder and a catalyst. The negative terminal 206 and the current pick up 214 may be reassembled with the rest of the battery 200, and the performance of the conventional alkaline battery 200 has been improved by adding magnetite to the current pick up.

[0030] When reassembling the battery 200, an aluminum plug may be placed over the negative terminal 206 so that no acid leaks out of the battery. Also, the battery may include a plastic shell (not illustrated) to house the battery 200.

[0031] As a result of the magnetic properties of the magnetite 216, the battery 200 may be recharged by applying a magnetic field to the battery 200. The magnetic field allows the magnetite in the magnetite coating 216 to react with the materials in the battery 200 and recharge the battery 200. For example, by applying a magnetic field to the battery 200 for about 30 minutes, the battery 200 can achieve substantially full capacity. In fact, the battery 200 may recharge to about 75% capacity after about two minutes, depending on the size of the battery 200 and the magnets applied. The magnetic field may be created by placing a north magnet 220 on one side of the battery 200 and a south magnet 222 on the other side of the battery 200. The magnets 220, 222 are be placed on the sides of the battery 200 and not on the terminals 206, 208 of the battery 200. The strength of the north and south magnets can affect the recharge time. Although the exemplary embodiment depicts a magnet on one side of the battery and another magnet on the other side of the battery, it is intended that any configuration of magnets can be used that can apply a magnetic field to the battery.

[0032] The magnetite 216 on the current pick up 214 also stimulates the chemical reaction within the battery 200 to improve the performance of the battery 200. This stimulation can act as a catalyst for the chemical reaction within the battery 200 and can lead to additional capacity and electricity output.

[0033] As shown above, by coating the current pick up 214 with the magnetite coating 216, which comprises powdered magnetite and a catalyst, the battery 200 may be improved and recharged.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a battery 300 including magnetite powder according to an exemplary embodiment. The battery 300 includes an anode 302, a cathode 304, a positive terminal 306, a negative terminal 308, an casing 310, a separator 312, and a current pick up 314. The positive terminal 306, the negative terminal 308, and the current pick up 314 may comprise any metal material, such as steel or copper. In some embodiments, a current pick up 314 comprising copper and performs better than a steel current pick up 314.

[0035] The separator 312 may comprise any ion conducting material, such as a cellulous material or a synthetic polymer. The separator 312 separates the anode 302 and the cathode 304 but still allows cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions) to move through the separator 312 and thereby perform the chemical reaction between the anode 302 and the cathode 304.

[0036] The casing 310 houses the internal components of the battery 300. The casing 310 may be cylindrical in shape (or any other shape) and comprises steel, plastic, aluminum, or any other material. The casing 310 may be wrapped in another material or covered by another material, such as plastic, to dissipate heat generated by the battery 300 or release pressure in response to added pressure within the battery 300 during the chemical reaction between the anode 302 and the cathode 304.

[0037] The anode 302 may comprise a number of different materials. For example, the anode 302 may include zinc, such as in a conventional alkaline battery, or the anode may include a mixture of lye, vinegar, water, zinc powder, silver powder, or lead powder.

[0038] In the second embodiment, the cathode 304 includes magnetite. For example, the cathode 304 includes manganese dioxide, carbon, and magnetite. The amount of carbon, manganese dioxide, and magnetite included in the cathode 304 varies. For example, the cathode 304 comprises 25% magnetite and 25% carbon and 50% manganese dioxide. In another embodiment, the cathode 304 has 50% magnetite, 25% carbon and 25% manganese dioxide. The battery's 200 performance varies based on the ratios between the materials comprising the cathode 304.

[0039] The cathode 304 may further include rare earth materials. The rare earth materials mix with the magnetite, manganese dioxide, and carbon so that the rare earth materials are distributed through the cathode 304. After mixing, the rare earth materials may become permanent magnets by wrapping a coil wire around the outside of the battery 300 and applying a current through the coil wire. The rare earth materials become magnetic particles within the cathode. The permanent magnets within the cathode 304 further enhance the reaction between the anode 302 and the cathode 304, thereby increasing the output and performance of the battery 300. The permanent magnet particles within the cathode 304 can also aid in recharging the battery 300 when a magnetic field is applied to the battery 300

[0040] The cathode 304 may be created by mixing magnetite, carbon, manganese dioxide and water together to form a mixture. In some embodiments, glue or other adhesives replace the water to bond the materials together. In some embodiments, the mixture further includes rare earth materials, as described above. When including water, the mixture becomes a paste. After forming the mixture, the casing 310 receives the paste mixture. The casing 310 further receives a space holder to reserve space for the anode 302 within a center of the casing 310. The mixture is then baked at a temperature of about 350-450 degrees (or more) until the mixture is solid. As a result of the space holder, the cathode 304 forms a ring surrounding a center of the casing 310, if the casing 310 is cylindrical in shape. After the cathode 304 forms, the space holder may be removed from the casing 310. The separator 312 may form on the formed cathode, and subsequently, the anode 302 may fill the center portion of the casing 310, thereby forming the battery.

[0041] If the mixture includes rare earth materials, the method for forming the cathode 304 further includes an additional step of conducting electricity through a coil wire to transform the rare earth materials into permanent magnets.

[0042] The battery 300 may further include a spring (not shown) connected to a piston (not shown) or a pressure expansion seal to control the pressure of the battery 300 as the anode 302 and cathode 304 react and generate electricity. The piston may engage either terminal 306, 308 of the battery 300. The reaction between the anode 302 and the cathode 304 generates heat and pressure, and the piston or a pressure expansion seal prevents the battery 300 from exploding or failing as a result of the added pressure.

[0043] The battery 300 of the second embodiment can recharge when in the presence of a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be created by placing a north magnet on one side of the battery 300 and a south magnet on the other side of the battery 300. The magnets should be placed on the sides of the battery 300 and not on the terminals 306, 308 of the battery 300. The strength of the north and south magnets affects the recharge time. As the battery 300 operates, electrons transfer from the anode 302 to the cathode 304 through the separator 312. When the cathode 304 includes magnetic materials, the magnetite sends the free electrons back toward the anode 302, thereby recharging the battery 300.

[0044] The battery 300 according to the second embodiment may further include a magnetite coating on the current pick up 314, similar to the magnetite coating described in the first embodiment. This component is optional to the battery 300 according to the second embodiment.

[0045] The battery 300 according to the second embodiment has demonstrated improved performance and recharging capabilities. A cathode 304 including magnetite is relatively simple and inexpensive to create, so an inexpensive battery 300 with improved performance and rechargeability may be easily realized with existing technologies and manufacturing processes.

[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a battery 400 including magnetite powder according to an exemplary embodiment. The battery 400 includes an anode 402, a cathode 404, a positive terminal 406, a negative terminal 408, an casing 410, a separator 412, and a current pick up 414. The positive terminal 406, the negative terminal 408, and the current pick up 414 may comprise any metal material, such as steel or copper. In some embodiments, a current pick up 414 comprising copper can perform better than a steel current pick up 414.

[0047] The separator 412 may comprise any ion conducting material, such as a cellulous material or a synthetic polymer. The separator 412 separates the anode 402 and the cathode 404 but still allows cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions) to move through the separator 412 and thereby perform the chemical reaction between the anode 402 and the cathode 404.

[0048] The casing 410 houses the internal components of the battery 400. The casing 410 may be cylindrical in shape (or any other shape) and comprises steel, plastic, aluminum, or any other material. The casing 410 may be wrapped in another material or covered by another material, such as plastic, to dissipate heat generated by the battery 400 or release pressure in response to added pressure within the battery 400 during the chemical reaction between the anode 402 and the cathode 404.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the anode 402 may comprise zinc and the cathode 404 may comprise manganese dioxide. The anode 402 may further include potassium hydroxide electrolyte, and the cathode 404 may further comprise carbon. In some embodiments, the anode 402 may comprise a mixture of lye, vinegar, water, zinc powder, silver powder, or lead powder.

[0050] The current pick up 414 may be a hollow metal tube, which can comprise copper, steel, or other suitable material. A magnetite mixture 416 may fill the hollow center of the current pick up 414. The magnetite mixture 416 comprises powdered magnetite and a catalyst.

[0051] The powdered magnetite comprising the magnetite mixture 416 may be substantially dried before filling the hollow portion of the current pick up 414. For example, heat may be applied to the magnetite powder comprising the magnetite mixture 416 before filling the current pick up 414.

[0052] The magnetite mixture 416 may include a catalyst. The catalyst may be lemon juice, apple juice, vinegar, olive oil, sodium hydroxide (lye), and/or any other acidic substance. The amount of catalyst included in the magnetite mixture 416 depends on the amount of powdered magnetite included in the magnetite mixture 416. For example, the ratio of magnetite to catalyst in the magnetite mixture 416 may be 3: 1 (i.e., 75% magnetite, 25% catalyst). The magnetite mixture 416 may include other materials as well, such as lithium, zinc, or lead. The amount of other materials included in the magnetite mixture 416 that coats the current pick up 414 must also be controlled. For example, the magnetite mixture 416 comprises 50% magnetite, 25% lithium, and 25% catalyst.

[0053] A tumbler may mix together the powdered magnetite, catalyst, and other materials comprising the magnetite mixture 416 before the mixture fills the hollow portion of the current pick up 414. The materials may mix together in the tumbler for a predetermined amount of time, such as 10 minutes to an hour.

[0054] The battery 400 including the magnetite mixture 416 has increased efficiency. For example, when the magnetite mixture 416 coats a current pick up 414 of a C-cell, the C-cell battery can exhibit similar or greater performance than that of a D-cell battery. In general, the addition of the magnetite mixture 416 can improve the output of the battery 400 by about 25- 50%. The amount of powdered magnetite included in the magnetite mixture 416 affects the improved performance. In general, the more magnetite included in the magnetite mixture 416, the better the performance of the battery 400. However, as described above, if the magnetite mixture 416 includes too much magnetite, the battery 400 may leak or explode as a result of too much pressure and heat generated by the battery 400.

[0055] Accordingly, a conventional alkaline battery may be improved by filling the a hollow current pick up 414 with the magnetite mixture 416. Also, because of the magnetic properties of the magnetite mixture 416, the battery 400 may be recharged by applying a magnetic field to the battery 400. The magnetic field allows the magnetite in the magnetite mixture 416 to react with the materials in the battery 400 and recharge the battery 400. For example, by applying a magnetic field to the battery 400 for about 30 minutes, the battery 400 can achieve substantially full capacity. In fact, the battery 400 may recharge to about 75% capacity after about two minutes, depending on the size of the battery 400 and the magnets applied. The magnetic field may be created by placing a north magnet 420 on one side of the battery 400 and a south magnet 422 on the other side of the battery 400. The magnets 420, 422 are be placed on the sides of the battery 400 and not on the terminals 406, 408 of the battery 400. The strength of the north and south magnets 420, 422 can affect the recharge time. Although the exemplary embodiment depicts a magnet on one side of the battery and another magnet on the other side of the battery, it is intended that any configuration of magnets can be used that can apply a magnetic field to the battery.

[0056] The magnetite 416 on the current pick up 414 also stimulates the chemical reaction within the battery 400 to improve the performance of the battery 400. This stimulation can act as a catalyst for the chemical reaction within the battery 400 and can lead to additional capacity and electricity output.

[0057] The embodiments described above are intended to be exemplary. One skilled in the art recognizes that numerous alternative components and embodiments that may be substituted for the particular examples described herein and still fall within the scope of the invention.