Alkaline battery + bismuth & copper = new better battery! The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) has replaced 1,000 kWh of lead-acid batteries with rechargeable units similar to household AA batteries.
The UEP system dopes the zinc manganese-dioxide alkaline battery with copper, bismuth, and other ingredients to make it rechargeable.
Describing the UEP system as a "game-changer", she said: We can now offer hours instead of minutes of power to our UPS customers, and with our next installation phase, expand battery backup to those on street power.
The new batteries will allow SDSC to recycle 20,000 lb of toxic lead-acid batteries, and replace them with a more environmentally friendly alternative, while at the same time doubling the available backup power.