About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advanced Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage 2026
|
| Presentation Title |
Design and Evaluation of a Molten Salt Magnesium–Air Battery for Maritime Energy Storage |
| Author(s) |
Peter T. Poulos, Adam Powell, Fabio Andreu, Dantes Giles, Matthew Murdock, Seth McGowan, Zachary Sullivan |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Peter T. Poulos |
| Abstract Scope |
This project presents a high-temperature magnesium–air battery designed for zero-emission maritime energy storage. The system operates at 420–550 °C using a NaCl–KCl–MgCl eutectic electrolyte, with magnesium metal as the anode fuel and ambient air as the oxidant. A containerized design includes ceramic insulation, angled electrodes for gas management, and pathways for MgO removal. Experimental results demonstrate open-circuit voltages of approximately 1.9 V. Thermodynamic and system-level modeling estimate a fixed hardware cost of $5–10/kWh, with further reductions anticipated through reuse and scaling. Key materials challenges include salt purity, crystallization behavior, and electrode stability under thermal and reactive conditions. The integration of electrochemical performance, materials chemistry, and scalable engineering supports the feasibility of magnesium–air batteries for long-duration stationary and transport-scale energy applications. Ongoing research focuses on improving rechargeability, understanding oxide growth, and optimizing system lifetime to advance this technology toward commercialization. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Energy Conversion and Storage, High-Temperature Materials, Magnesium |