An interesting development, particularly for things like electric cars. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14852073 A new polymer jelly could be the next big step forward for lithium batteries. The jelly replaces the volatile and hazardous liquid electrolyte currently used in most lithium batteries. Researchers from the University of Leeds hope their development leads to smaller, cheaper and safer gadgets. Once on the market, the lithium jelly batteries could allow lighter laptop computers, and more efficient electric cars. ... Thermal runaway The newly developed jelly batteries should prevent "thermal runaway", during which batteries can reach hundreds of degrees and catch fire. The Leeds-based researchers are promising that their jelly batteries are as safe as polymer batteries, perform like liquid-filled batteries, but are 10 to 20% the price of either. The secret to their success lies in blending a rubber-like polymer with a conductive, liquid electrolyte into a thin, flexible film of gel that sits between the battery electrodes. "The polymer gel looks like a solid film, but it actually contains about 70% liquid electrolyte," explained the study's lead author, Professor Ian Ward from the University of Leeds. "The remarkable thing is that we can make the separation between the solid and liquid phase at the point that it hits the electrodes
Interesting. Georgia Tech and Clemson University recently came out with a news report about using seaweed for batteries. http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?nid=69898