The present disclosure relates to a method for storing excess energy from at least one energy producing source, as thermal energy, using an existing geologic formation. First and second storage zones formed in a geologic region may be used to store high temperature and medium high temperature brine. When excess energy is available from the energy producing source, a quantity of the medium high temperature brine is withdrawn and heated using the energy supplied by the energy source to form a first new quantity of high temperature brine, which is then injected back into the first storage zone. This forces a quantity of medium high temperature brine present in the first storage zone into the second storage zone, to maintain a desired quantity of high temperature brine in the first storage zone and a desired quantity of medium high temperature brine in the second storage zone.

The present disclosure relates to a method for storing excess energy from at least one energy producing source, as thermal energy, using an existing geologic formation. First and second storage zones formed in a geologic region may be used to store high temperature and medium high temperature brine. When excess energy is available from the energy producing source, a quantity of the medium high temperature brine is withdrawn and heated using the energy supplied by the energy source to form a first new quantity of high temperature brine, which is then injected back into the first storage zone. This forces a quantity of medium high temperature brine present in the first storage zone into the second storage zone, to maintain a desired quantity of high temperature brine in the first storage zone and a desired quantity of medium high temperature brine in the second storage zone.

Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for a remote oceanic environment includes a float system, at least one electric motor, and a seawater battery. The float system allows the UAV to maintain buoyancy on a body of water. The electric motor or motors produce the required lift for the UAV to achieve and maintain flight. The flight includes the UAV landing on the body of water and takeoff from the body of water. The seawater battery directly or indirectly powers the electric motor or motors using seawater from the body of water while the UAV is floating on the body of water.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for a remote oceanic environment includes a float system, at least one electric motor, and a seawater battery. The float system allows the UAV to maintain buoyancy on a body of water. The electric motor or motors produce the required lift for the UAV to achieve and maintain flight. The flight includes the UAV landing on the body of water and takeoff from the body of water. The seawater battery directly or indirectly powers the electric motor or motors using seawater from the body of water while the UAV is floating on the body of water.

A seawater battery cell may include: a seawater battery module having an anode and a cathode; a watertight structure coupled to the seawater battery module, the watertight structure being configured to tightly seal the anode and the cathode from seawater; a first watertight connector portion electrically connected to any one of the anode and the cathode; and a second watertight connector portion electrically connected to remaining one of the anode and the cathode and coupled to a first watertight connector portion of an adjacent seawater battery cell. As a result, the seawater battery cell, which can be fully submerged under seawater, can be applied to various fields.

A seawater battery cell may include: a seawater battery module having an anode and a cathode; a watertight structure coupled to the seawater battery module, the watertight structure being configured to tightly seal the anode and the cathode from seawater; a first watertight connector portion electrically connected to any one of the anode and the cathode; and a second watertight connector portion electrically connected to remaining one of the anode and the cathode and coupled to a first watertight connector portion of an adjacent seawater battery cell. As a result, the seawater battery cell, which can be fully submerged under seawater, can be applied to various fields.

The operation of the ionic electric power station is based on the stable corrosion of a plurality of sacrificial anodes immersed in sea water or water with common salt inside a cell, without membranes to separate the cathodic zone from the anodic zone, kinetic conditions being generated inside the cell by the circulation of water moved by a pump in a closed circuit between the cells and a reservoir.

The operation of the ionic electric power station is based on the stable corrosion of a plurality of sacrificial anodes immersed in sea water or water with common salt inside a cell, without membranes to separate the cathodic zone from the anodic zone, kinetic conditions being generated inside the cell by the circulation of water moved by a pump in a closed circuit between the cells and a reservoir.

Example biosensor devices having wake-up batteries and associated methods are disclosed. One example device includes a biosensor that has a first electrode for insertion into a subcutaneous layer beneath a patient's skin, and a second electrode coupled to the first electrode for insertion into the subcutaneous layer, and a first battery to apply a voltage across the first and second electrodes, the first battery at least partially electrically decoupled from the electrodes. The device also includes a second battery having an anode material coupled to the first electrode for insertion into the subcutaneous layer, and a portion of the second electrode. The second battery is activatable upon immersion in an electrolytic fluid. The device also includes a wake-up circuit to receive a signal from the second battery and, in response, to electrically couple the first battery to the first and second electrodes to activate the biosensor.