20161231 Call for Participation: Non-Rechargeable Batteries
In "The Knowledge" (Reference #1) Dr. Dartnell mentions batteries multiple times.
Per the index, batteries are mentioned on pages: 47, 48, 174, 175, 176, 177, 180, 183, 207 and 266
All of these references are of an historical nature, and they are relevant to the project of rebuilding a civilization that has been lost.
I would like to note that page 207 describes an historical example of battery swapping. According to a recent report (probably broadcast on National Public Radio), a key reason why battery swapping is unlikely to become popular is that the battery cases of modern electric vehicles (such as Tesla) are built into the frame as integral components. Thus, while Tesla (for example) is able and willing to swap a battery at the end of its useful life, the integration of the battery case with the body of the vehicle means that the process is time consuming.
In a report which IS available, Elon Musk indicated that it is unlikely the company will pursue battery swapping:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/ca ... tery-swap/The report by Bob Sorokanich was published June 10, 2015.
It is clear from the report that Mr. Musk and his team had solved the battery integration problem, and that it was feasible to swap batteries, but his tests with actual customers showed a very low level of interest.
However, the purpose of THIS post is to launch a call for participation in a project to develop all systems and subsystems that would be needed to recycle non-rechargeable batteries on Mars, or any other location away from Earth, where the global infrastructure that supports use of non-rechargeable batteries today on Earth would not be available.
What I am seeing today as components of a system are:
1) A process (probably atom assembly) to create non-chemical components of non-rechargeable batteries, such as the case, electrodes, seals
2) A process (unclear if just ordinary chemistry) to create the electrolyte for the particular type of battery to be manufactured
3) A process for assembly of the components and the electrolyte to create a finished battery
4) A process for quality testing of each battery, and application of cosmetic coatings as desired
Related systems and subsystems would be needed to accept used non-rechargeable batteries for extraction of atoms of various kinds for storage and then re-use in later manufacture.
The entire set of systems and subsystems should be suitable for supervision by a single person, and thus suitable for an economy built to recreate the level of civilization extant on Earth in 2016 but located away from Earth, and populated by (about) 1,000,000 people.
As discussed in the Adam Smith thread here on The Knowledge forum, there should be a minimum of three separate operations to recycle and reproduce non-rechargeable batteries to insure capitalist competitive jockeying for customer patronage.
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May every member of The Knowledge forum grow financially, intellectually, socially and beyond.