ABSTRACT
The rapid growth of portable electronics has led to greatly expanded opportunities for small, lightweight consumer-friendly portable power systems.
Metal-air batteries [1-11] are one of the more promising, but less well-known, alternatives to conventional and future power sources as primary cells. Metal-air systems, such as the magnesium-air, are typically very high in energy density but low in power, have an open cell structure, and use oxygen from the air. Great strides have been made and are continuing to be made in the metal-air technology. They have the potential to replace conventional batteries (e.g., zinc alkaline) and highcost hydrogen-based fuel cells because of their high energy density, relatively flat discharge voltage potential, long shelf life, and relatively low manufacturing cost.
