§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Technology what research he is conducting into the development of zinc/air and other types of battery with improved storage capacity and lower weight-to-energy ratios than existing designs; and if he will state the budgeted expenditure on this work in the year 1967–68.
§ Mr. Stonehousepursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th February, 1967; Vol. 742, c. 238–9] supplied the following information:
Research and Development aimed at providing batteries with improved storage capacity and lower weight to energy ratios than existing designs is being carried out in the following battery systems:
222W
- Cadmium/Air*
- Indium/Zinc
- Lead/Acid
- Magnesium/Air*
- Manganese/Zinc
- Mercury/Cadmium
- Mercury/Zinc
- Nickel/Cadmium
- Silver/Zinc
- Zinc/Air
* Under negotiation—studies or development work expected to be put under contract in the near future.
There are in the region of 40 individual Research and Development contracts distributed with the following firms:
- Alkaline Batteries Ltd.
- Burndept. Ltd.
- D.E.A.C.: Hermetically Sealed Accumulators
- Energy Conversion Ltd.
- Joseph Lucas Ltd.
- Mallory Batteries Ltd.
- Venner Accumulators Ltd.
Battery research is being carried out on fundamental behaviour, molten salts, and non-aqueous electrolytes at Imperial College, Newcastle University and Sir John Cass College.