CONCRETE BATTERY FOR LARGE STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS HAVING ANODE AND CATHODE PORTIONS WITH A COEFFICIENT OF THERMAL EXPANSION COMPATIBLE WITH CEMENT

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to concrete batteries for large structural applications, where the materials used for the concrete electrolyte and the electrodes have a coefficient of linear thermal expansion within acceptable ranges to prevent cracking or spalling, and further where the electrodes provide enhanced structural support for the concrete electrolyte, such that the concrete battery can be used for load-bearing applications.

Claims

1. A concrete battery for a structural application comprising: an anode, comprising a conductive material with a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion of less than or equal to 30 10-6 m/m C.; a cathode comprising a conductive material with a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion of less than or equal to 30 10-6 m/m C.; an electrolyte comprising hardened cement with a third coefficient of linear thermal expansion of at least 5 10-6 m/m C.; wherein the anode is in physical contact with the hardened cement and provides structural reinforcement to the hardened cement; wherein the cathode is in physical contact with the hardened cement and provides structural reinforcement to the hardened cement; and wherein the anode, cathode and hardened cement are configured as a building component for load bearing.

2. The concrete battery of claim 1 wherein the hardened cement comprises Portland cement.

3. The concrete battery of claim 1 wherein the hardened cement comprises Sorrel cement.

4. The concrete battery of claim 1 wherein the hardened cement comprises Ferrock.

5. The concrete battery of claim 1 wherein the hardened cement comprises pozzolanic cement.

6. The concrete battery of claim 1 wherein the anode comprises a conductive material selected from the group consisting of: common steel, nickel, cast iron, ferrous stainless steel, austenitic 310 stainless steel, gold, cobalt, monel metal, diamond (carbon), invar, barium ferrite, scandium, terbium, yttrium, cast iron gray, promethium, holmium, hastelloy c, inconel, terne, palladium, beryllium, cobalt, thorium, pure iron, lanthanum, erbium, samarium, bismuth, thulium, uranium, gold-platinum alloy, constantan, gold-copper alloy, copper, steel stainless austenitic (316), cupronickel 30%, phosphor bronze, steel stainless austenitic (304), bronze, copper, gunmetal, brass, manganin, german silver, silver, speculum metal, fluorspar-caf2, silicon carbide, kapton, tin, barium, aluminum, manganese, calcium, strontium, duralumin, magnalium, solder (lead-tin, 50%-50%), magnesium, ytterbium, lead, thallium, mica, silicon, cadmium, indium, europium, tellurium, selenium, graphite, tungsten, arsenic, lithium, molybdenum, osmium, topas, cerium, aluminum nitride, sapphire, marble, zirconium, hafnium, hard alloy k20, chromium, germanium, iridium, sintered corundum, tantalum, praseodymium, rhenium, mercury, niobium, sodium, rhodium, vanadium, quartz, aluminum oxide, steatite, titanium, potassium, gadolinium, platinum, antimony, ruthenium, macor, neodymium, dysprosium, lutetium, and steel stainless ferritic (410).

7. The concrete battery of claim 1 wherein the cathode comprises a conductive material selected from the group consisting of common steel, nickel, cast iron, ferrous stainless steel, austenitic 310 stainless steel, gold, cobalt, monel metal, diamond (carbon), invar, barium ferrite, scandium, terbium, yttrium, cast iron gray, promethium, holmium, hastelloy c, inconel, terne, palladium, beryllium, cobalt, thorium, pure iron, lanthanum, erbium, samarium, bismuth, thulium, uranium, gold-platinum alloy, constantan, gold-copper alloy, copper, steel stainless austenitic (316), cupronickel 30%, phosphor bronze, steel stainless austenitic (304), bronze, copper, gunmetal, brass, manganin, german silver, silver, speculum metal, fluorspar-caf2, silicon carbide, kapton, tin, barium, aluminum, manganese, calcium, strontium, duralumin, magnalium, solder (lead-tin, 50%-50%), magnesium, ytterbium, lead, thallium, mica, silicon, cadmium, indium, europium, tellurium, selenium, graphite, tungsten, arsenic, lithium, molybdenum, osmium, topas, cerium, aluminum nitride, sapphire, marble, zirconium, hafnium, hard alloy k20, chromium, germanium, iridium, sintered corundum, tantalum, praseodymium, rhenium, mercury, niobium, sodium, rhodium, vanadium, quartz, aluminum oxide, steatite, titanium, potassium, gadolinium, platinum, antimony, ruthenium, macor, neodymium, dysprosium, lutetium, and steel stainless ferritic (410).

8. The concrete battery of claim 1 wherein the hardened cement further comprises non-conductive structural reinforcement dispersed throughout the hardened cement.

9. The concrete battery of claim 8 wherein the non-conductive structural reinforcement consists of one or more of the following materials: polymer fibers, fiberglass, fiberglass/polymer composite rebar, and basalt based products.

10. The concrete battery of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of the battery result in a volume that is equal to or greater than the volume of a structural brick measuring 3 inches, by 2 inches, by 7 inches.

11. A concrete battery for a structural application comprising: an anode, comprising a conductive material with a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion; a cathode comprising a conductive material with a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion; an electrolyte comprising hardened cement with a third coefficient of linear thermal expansion; wherein the anode is in physical contact with the hardened cement and provides structural reinforcement to the hardened cement; wherein the cathode is in physical contact with the hardened cement and provides structural reinforcement to the hardened cement; wherein the difference between the first coefficient of linear thermal expansion and the third coefficient of linear thermal expansion is less than or equal to 25 10-6 m/m C.; wherein the difference between the second coefficient of linear thermal expansion and the third coefficient of linear thermal expansion is less than or equal to 25 10-6 m/m C.; and wherein the anode, cathode and hardened cement are configured as a building component for load bearing.

12. The concrete battery of claim 11 wherein the hardened cement comprises Portland cement.

13. The concrete battery of claim 11 wherein the hardened cement comprises Sorrel cement.

14. The concrete battery of claim 11 wherein the hardened cement comprises Ferrock.

15. The concrete battery of claim 11 wherein the hardened cement comprises pozzolanic cement.

16. The concrete battery of claim 11 wherein the anode comprises a conductive material selected from the group consisting of: common steel, nickel, cast iron, ferrous stainless steel, austenitic 310 stainless steel, gold, cobalt, monel metal, diamond (carbon), invar, barium ferrite, scandium, terbium, yttrium, cast iron gray, promethium, holmium, hastelloy c, inconel, terne, palladium, beryllium, cobalt, thorium, pure iron, lanthanum, erbium, samarium, bismuth, thulium, uranium, gold-platinum alloy, constantan, gold-copper alloy, copper, steel stainless austenitic (316), cupronickel 30%, phosphor bronze, steel stainless austenitic (304), bronze, copper, gunmetal, brass, manganin, german silver, silver, speculum metal, fluorspar-caf2, silicon carbide, kapton, tin, barium, aluminum, manganese, calcium, strontium, duralumin, magnalium, solder (lead-tin, 50%-50%), magnesium, ytterbium, lead, thallium, mica, silicon, cadmium, indium, europium, tellurium, selenium, graphite, tungsten, arsenic, lithium, molybdenum, osmium, topas, cerium, aluminum nitride, sapphire, marble, zirconium, hafnium, hard alloy k20, chromium, germanium, iridium, sintered corundum, tantalum, praseodymium, rhenium, mercury, niobium, sodium, rhodium, vanadium, quartz, aluminum oxide, steatite, titanium, potassium, gadolinium, platinum, antimony, ruthenium, macor, neodymium, dysprosium, lutetium, and steel stainless ferritic (410).

17. The concrete battery of claim 11 wherein the cathode comprises a conductive material selected from the group consisting of common steel, nickel, cast iron, ferrous stainless steel, austenitic 310 stainless steel, gold, cobalt, monel metal, diamond (carbon), invar, barium ferrite, scandium, terbium, yttrium, cast iron gray, promethium, holmium, hastelloy c, inconel, terne, palladium, beryllium, cobalt, thorium, pure iron, lanthanum, erbium, samarium, bismuth, thulium, uranium, gold-platinum alloy, constantan, gold-copper alloy, copper, steel stainless austenitic (316), cupronickel 30%, phosphor bronze, steel stainless austenitic (304), bronze, copper, gunmetal, brass, manganin, german silver, silver, speculum metal, fluorspar-caf2, silicon carbide, kapton, tin, barium, aluminum, manganese, calcium, strontium, duralumin, magnalium, solder (lead-tin, 50%-50%), magnesium, ytterbium, lead, thallium, mica, silicon, cadmium, indium, europium, tellurium, selenium, graphite, tungsten, arsenic, lithium, molybdenum, osmium, topas, cerium, aluminum nitride, sapphire, marble, zirconium, hafnium, hard alloy k20, chromium, germanium, iridium, sintered corundum, tantalum, praseodymium, rhenium, mercury, niobium, sodium, rhodium, vanadium, quartz, aluminum oxide, steatite, titanium, potassium, gadolinium, platinum, antimony, ruthenium, macor, neodymium, dysprosium, lutetium, and steel stainless ferritic (410).

18. The concrete battery of claim 11 wherein the hardened cement further comprises non-conductive structural reinforcement dispersed throughout the hardened cement.

19. The concrete battery of claim 18 wherein the non-conductive structural reinforcement consists of one or more of the following materials: polymer fibers, fiberglass, fiberglass/polymer composite rebar, and basalt based products.

20. The concrete battery of claim 11 wherein the dimensions of the battery result in a volume that is equal to or greater than the volume of a structural brick measuring 3 inches, by 2 inches, by 7 inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] In the descriptions that follow, like parts or steps are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the concrete battery disclosed herein, namely a flat block battery;

[0055] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the concrete battery disclosed herein, namely a cylindrical battery;

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the concrete battery disclosed herein, namely a sculptural shape battery; and

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the concrete battery disclosed herein, namely a pipe battery.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0058] Each embodiment comprises a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of electrical conductors and connectors. Further, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of material combinations and orientation options that will result in an integral structure or object with required architectural strength to suit its purpose as a load-bearing building element, and which is also able to absorb, store, and discharge electric energy like a battery or capacitor, while at the same time having a CLTE of all materials that is sufficiently similar under intended temperature variations for the structure sufficient to prevent cracking, spalling and structural failure of the cement-based electrolyte.

[0059] One embodiment of the present invention, the flat battery block 10 as seen in FIG. 1, comprises an electrolyte 12 comprising cement, such as Portland cement or Sorrel cement; two electrodes, namely an anode 14 and a cathode 16, two electric conductors 18, 20, which are connected to the anode 14 and cathode 16, respectively; and two electric connectors 22, 24. The electrolyte 12 forms the bulk of the structural component such as a wall, a floor, etc., using materials such as cement-based concrete. The plurality of electrodes 14, 16 can be dissimilar metals and/or carbon in perforated plate or mesh form that is embedded in and separated by the electrolyte, also serving as structural reinforcement. The electrodes 14, 16 are in parallel (physical rather than electrical) position and adjacent to the planar surface of the flat battery block 10. The electrodes 14, 16 are positioned within the electrolyte 12 in such a way that they are not exposed. One electric conductor 22, 24 leads to each electrode 14, 16 and provides electrical connection which can be used to charge or discharge the flat battery block 10.

[0060] Another embodiment is the cylindrical battery block 30 as seen in FIG. 2, comprising comprises an electrolyte 32 comprising cement, such as Portland cement or Sorrel cement; two electrodes, namely an anode 34 and a cathode 36, two electric conductors 38, 40, which are connected to the anode 34 and cathode 36, respectively; and two electric connectors 42, 44. The cylindrical electrolyte 32 functions as the bulk of the structural component such as a rod, a pier, a footing, a pipe, or any cylindrical structure. Accordingly, each electrode 34, 36 comprises an electric conductor, an electric connector, and a cylindrical thin perforated plate or mesh that is concentric with the electrolyte block. The two electrodes 34, 36 are embedded in and separated by the electrolyte 32, but not exposed. The materials used for both electrodes and electrolyte are the same as in the flat battery block embodiment described above.

[0061] Yet another embodiment is the sculpted battery block 50 as seen in FIG. 3, comprises an electrolyte 52 comprising cement, such as Portland cement or Sorrel cement; two electrodes, namely an anode 54 and a cathode 36, two electric conductors 58, 60, which are connected to the anode 34 and cathode 36, respectively; and two electric connectors 42, 44. The electrolyte 52 functions as the bulk of the structural component such as a panel structure. This embodiment serves to demonstrate that the concrete battery disclosed herein may take any structural form consistent with concrete building techniques and the other requirements discussed below.

[0062] Embodiments disclosed herein employ electrode materials that will perform electrically and serve as viable internal reinforcement, maintaining excellent structural properties.

[0063] One example of this type of configuration is a substructure of zinc galvanized steel rebar alongside, but electrically separate from, a substructure of stainless steel rebar all cast within a common Portland cement-based concrete admixture. The galvanized steel rebar acts as the anode or negative electrode. The stainless steel rebar acts as the cathode or positive electrode. The result is a highly structurally sound and rechargeable energy storage building module. Adding a charge and maintaining upper charge levels from an exterior source, such as solar panels, will provide usable electricity in addition to providing galvanic protection of the zinc coated steel anode, in turn, greatly extending the longevity of a structure. Another embodiment of the invention is an all stainless concrete battery that has a stainless steel anode and a stainless steel cathode. The cell starts with no potential and no voltage but is polarized with an external power source to become a battery cell. Polarization consists of a series of charge cycles that will result in the establishment of a positive cathode and a negative anode, again, very structurally sound. There are many material combinations that fit within the scope of this invention.

[0064] Generally, linear thermal expansion of a solid is described by the following equation:

[00001]$\frac{.Math..Math.L}{L}={}_L.Math..Math..Math.T$ [0065] L=change in length [0066] L=original length [0067] T=change in temperature [0068] .sub.L=linear coefficient of thermal expansion

[0069] In this equation, delta L is the change in length of the bar, delta T is the change in temperature of the bar, L is the original length before the temperature changed, and alpha is the linear coefficient of thermal expansion. The coefficient (CLTE) is a number that represents how much the material expands.

[0070] CLTE is typically measured in either micrometers of expansion per meter of original length, per increase in degrees temperature in Celsius (10-6 m/m C.=1 m/m C.) or, less commonly, in inches per inch of original length, per increase in degrees of temperature in Rankine (10-6 in/in R).

[0071] Using these units of measurement, the following materials have the following CLTE values:

TABLE-US-00001 Average CLTE in Average CLTE in Material 10.sup.6 m/m C. 10.sup.6 in/in R Common Concrete 14.5 8 High performance concrete 9.8 5.5 Pure Portland cement 11 6.11 Common Steel 12 6.7 Nickel 13 7.2 Cast Iron 10.4-11 5.9 Ferrous Stainless steel 9.9 5.5 Austenitic 310 Stainless Steel 14.4 8 Gold 14.2 8.2 Cobalt 12 6.7 Monel Metal 13.5 7.5 Diamond (Carbon) 1.1-1.3 0.611-0.722 Invar 1.5 0.833 Barium ferrite 10 5.56 Scandium 10.2 5.67 Terbium 10.3 5.72 Yttrium 10.6 5.89 Cast Iron Gray 10.8 6 Promethium 11 6.11 Holmium 11.2 6.22 Hastelloy C 11.3 6.28 Inconel 11.5-12.6 6.39-7 Terne 11.6 6.44 Palladium 11.8 6.56 Beryllium 12 6.67 Cobalt 12 6.67 Thorium 12 6.67 Iron, pure 12.0 6.67 Lanthanum 12.1 6.72 Erbium 12.2 6.78 Samarium 12.7 7.06 Bismuth 13-13.5 7.22-7.5 Thulium 13.3 7.39 Uranium 13.4 7.44 Gold - platinum 15.2 8.44 Constantan 15.2-18.8 8.44-10.4 Gold - copper 15.5 8.61 Copper 16-16.7 8.89-9.28 Steel Stainless Austenitic (316) 16.0 8.89 Cupronickel 30% 16.2 9 Phosphor bronze 16.7 9.28 Steel Stainless Austenitic (304) 17.3 9.61 Bronze 17.5-18 9.72-10 Copper 17.8 9.89 Gunmetal 18 10 Brass 18-19 10-10.6 Manganin 18.1 10.1 German silver 18.4 10.2 Silver 19-19.7 10.6-10.9 Speculum metal 19.3 10.7 Fluorspar, CaF2 19.5 10.8 Silicon Carbide 2.77 1.54 Kapton 20 11.1 Tin 20-23 11.1-12.8 Barium 20.6 11.4 Aluminum 21-24 11.7-13.3 Manganese 22 12.2 Calcium 22.3 12.4 Strontium 22.5 12.5 Duralumin 23 12.8 Magnalium 23.8 13.2 Solder lead - tin, 50% - 50% 25 13.9 Magnesium 25-26.9 13.9-14.9 Ytterbium 26.3 14.6 Lead 29 16.1 Thallium 29.9 16.6 Mica 3 1.67 Silicon 3-5 1.67-2.78 Cadmium 30 16.7 Indium 33 18.3 Europium 35 19.4 Tellurium 36.9 20.5 Selenium 37 20.6 Graphite, pure (Carbon) 4-8 2.22 Tungsten 4.5 2.5 Arsenic 4.7 2.61 Masonry, brick 4.7-9.0 2.61-5 Brick masonry 5 2.78 Molybdenum 5 2.78 Osmium 5-6 2.78-3.33 Topas 5-8 2.78-4.44 Cerium 5.2 2.89 Aluminum nitride 5.3 2.94 Sapphire 5.3 2.94 Marble 5.5-14.1 3.06-7.83 Zirconium 5.7 3.17 Hafnium 5.9 3.28 Hard alloy K20 6 3.33 Chromium 6-7 3.33-3.89 Germanium 6.1 3.39 Iridium 6.4 3.56 Corundum, sintered 6.5 3.61 Tantalum 6.5 3.61 Praseodymium 6.7 3.72 Rhenium 6.7 3.72 Mercury 61 33.9 Niobium (Columbium) 7 3.89 Rhodium 8 4.44 Vanadium 8 4.44 Quartz, mineral 8-14 4.44-7.78 Alumina (aluminum oxide, Al2O3) 8.1 4.5 Steatite 8.5 4.72 Titanium 8.5-9 4.72-5 Potassium 83 46.1 Gadolinium 9 5 Platinum 9 5 Antimony 9-11 5-6.11 Ruthenium 9.1 5.06 Macor 9.3 5.17 Neodymium 9.6 5.33 Dysprosium 9.9 5.5 Lutetium 9.9 5.5 Steel Stainless Ferritic (410) 9.9 5.5

[0072] The metals listed above generally have thermal expansion ranges within the range found in common Portland cement-based concrete admixtures and could be used in their pure forms, with themselves and in combinations with each other, depending on the application and specifics of the concrete admixture and/or the particular alloy or bi-metallic structure of these metals.

[0073] Metals with significantly greater or lesser CLTE's than that of common concrete can still be utilized in different ways. An example is coating a thin layer of zinc onto steel rebar. The zinc performs excellently as an anode but in its pure form has a higher expansion and contraction rate than the concrete and so is not suitable structurally for large commercial applications. The steel rebar has good structural properties but relatively poor electrical performance. When a zinc layer is applied to steel rebar, the electrical performance of the zinc is achieved, without disturbing the structural enforcement and thermal compatibility steel with concrete. The all stainless steel (there are many types of stainless) embodiment, and the zinc galvanized steel/stainless steel embodiment have excellent potential because they have reasonable electrical performance and are forms of rebar already available in the marketplace, though to the best of Applicant's knowledge neither has been used for the manufacture of a concrete battery.

[0074] Some of the more and less thermally expansive materials, which perform adequately electrically, but are not thermally compatible with Portland cement unless fully encased, are listed below, with their CLTE values. However, each may be useful with specific physical placement or may themselves be changed or combined as an alloy or bi-metallic component to be compatible.

TABLE-US-00002 Average CLTE in Average CLTE in Material 10.sup.6 m/m C. 10.sup.6 in/in R Aluminum 22 12 Copper 16.6 9.3 Magnesium 25 14 Zinc 29.7 16.5 Silver 19.5 10.7 Lead 28 15 Brass 18.7 10.4 Bronze 18 10 Titanium 8.4 4.8

[0075] Further, while this disclosure is primarily directed to concrete batteries made from Portland-cement using thermally compatible electrode materials, it should be understood that there are more and more non-Portland binder cements and CO2 absorbing concrete entering the market and gaining acceptance, that should fit within the scope of the disclosure herein, so long as the CLTE of these materials are compatible with electrode materials.

[0076] If the more expansive materials are not trapped and have room to move (expand and contract), they would not compromise the structural integrity of an object.

[0077] Less expansive materials that can be mixed with the ones above to create more thermostructurally sound alloys are as follows:

TABLE-US-00003 Average CLTE in Average CLTE in Material 10.sup.6 m/m C. 10.sup.6 in/in R Graphite/Carbon 2-6 1.1-3.4 Silicon 3 1.7 Tungsten 4.3 2.4

[0078] So different building applications will call for different concrete formulas which will call for different rebar/electrode scheduling. Applicant's investigation and research of particular combinations is continuing, but the above tables and disclosure are provided so as to inform as to the broad scope of the embodiments of the present invention and to address each genus of the present embodiments. Applicant also notes that some conductive materials which would be incompatible electrode/reinforcement materials are, or would be, compatible in lower quantities, but cannot fulfill tensile requirements. Applicant notes that by lower quantities, Applicant means a concrete to metal ratio with greater amounts of concrete and less metal to the point of structurally overcoming thermomechanical stress. As such, these materials may be candidates for alloying or bi-metallizing for an electrode with adequate CLTE properties and sufficient reinforcement strength.

[0079] Applicant also notes that, generally, the present embodiments are directed to load-bearing, structural elements of a building. Applicant hereby defines a load-bearing structural element as a component that is at least the size of a standard structural brick, namely 327. As explained herein, in contrast to small, experimental concrete block batteries, the load bearing structural elements that are formed as concrete batteries in accordance with the present disclosure will benefit from the disclosure herein by achieving increased structural soundness and strength while having acceptable energy storage capacity.

[0080] It is also possible, and contemplated herein, to construct concrete battery modules in accordance with this disclosure with less structurally optimal electrode materials, but with the addition of other industry approved reinforcing materials such as polymer fibers, fiberglass, fiberglass/polymer composite rebar, basalt based products, etc., that are non-electrolytic, non-electrically conductive, and have no effect on the electrical performance of the concrete electrolyte, will allow it to perform with much greater structural performance. There are many different types of such additives approved and on the market.

[0081] As a further example, while steel and concrete do not share an identical CTE, they have a slight enough variance to pass the expansion test in most environments with great enough steel ratios to provide adequate structural reinforcement strength. Further, both copper and aluminum could be considered compatible if arranged properly and the ratios of concrete over metal are great enough to overcome any forces exerted by the expanding metals (and things like lack of bondage as in the case of aluminum). In the case of thin wire copper or aluminum meshes, the coverage of concrete and the low metal to concrete ratio will allow for the structure to exist without being damaged by the stresses caused by the difference between the CTE of the metals against the lesser CTE of the concrete, however, would require the addition of one or more of the above mentioned types of non-conductive reinforcements for structural viability in most applications.

[0082] It will also be understood that it is feasible to carbonize metal alloys such as copper to bring down the thermal expansion rates to a level more similar to that of common steel rebar. While not cost effective at the time of filing of this application, Applicant notes that this option is within the scope of the disclosure.

[0083] Another way to manage the issue of expanding and contracting electrode materials is to simply arrange modules in such a way as to allow for it. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of a pipe battery 80 is presented, with a concrete electrolyte 82, an aluminum pipe anode 84 and a copper pipe cathode 86. In this particular embodiment, the aluminum and copper electrode materials are on the surfaces of the concrete/electrolyte, so they each are exposed to open space that will allow for the expansion of the metals without damaging the concrete. In this type of arrangement, the difference in expansion rates between the metals and concrete are less consequential than if the metals were imbedded into the concrete with no room to expand except into surrounding concrete, which is acceptable if there is not too much pressure. Due to that the layers are in a concentric cylinder formation, they will be less likely to delaminate upon temperature/size changes. Not only is this type of embodiment a very structurally sound battery module but it could also serve to transfer gasses or fluids through the hollow central channel 88. Scaled up, this type of module could serve as sections of a transportation tunnel that is capable of storing electricity. Coupled with solar or other charging sources, like geo-thermal or wind etc., modules of this nature could power the transfer of said fluids, gasses, or vehicles across vast expanses with no existing electric infrastructure.

[0084] Further, the present disclosure anticipates that some concrete batteries in accordance with the present disclosure will be poured monolithically and then cut into sections after concrete curing to allow for thermal size fluctuations. A battery pipe like this would have to be sectional, and then the necessary number of sections would be coupled and connected structurally and electrically. In extreme temperature applications these connection points would be engineered to allow for greater expansion and contraction.

[0085] As addressed herein, a focus and advantage of the embodiments of the present disclosure is the ability to create a concrete battery for use as a large structural component in such a way that the CLTE of the concrete electrolyte and the CLTE of the anode and cathode are within acceptable ranges compared to one another, such that cracking, spalling and degradation of the structural integrity of the concrete battery is avoided. As will be appreciated, the difference (delta) between the relevant CLTE's will differ depending upon numerous factors, such as the concrete formula, what structural requirements are needed for a particular application, and what environment the structure will be exposed to, e.g., large temperature swings vs. relatively constant temperatures.

[0086] The delta between relevant material CLTE's can be thought of as a CLTE tolerance window. The CLTE tolerance window for materials imbedded, with adequate coverage, in most Portland cement based formulations is relatively broad. For example, and without limitation, the CLTE tolerance window can range from between 5 10-6 m/m C. to 30 10-6 m/m C. for both the anode and cathode, as illustrated by the tables provided above. Applicant also notes that, depending upon the application, any CLTE tolerance widow between the concrete electrolyte and more expansive anode or cathode material, of less than or equal to 25 10-6 m/m C., would be acceptable. For example, both copper and aluminum in the same metal to concrete ratios as a similar module reinforced with conventional steel rebar, with proper coverage, will not cause too much expansion damage (with acceptable coverage) in most common thermal environments, but copper and aluminum do not have but quite half of the tensile strength of conventional steel rebar. So in order to add enough copper/aluminum to overcome the lack of tensile strength, thermal expansion issues could arise in more extreme environments. In the case of a module with copper and aluminum electrodes, most structural load bearing applications will require the addition of a non-electrically conductive reinforcement material such as fiber reinforced polymer or FRP rebar.

[0087] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments disclosed.

[0088] Insofar as the description above discloses any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.